Clinical features of 41 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis

Objective To improve diagnosis and treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis(PBC),clinical features of the patients with PBC were analyzed.Methods Clinical data of 41 cases with primary biliary cirrhosis were reviewed including the clinical manifestation,1aboratory test,pathological finding,and the response to UDCA therapy.Results The ratio of female to male was 9∶1.The most frequently reported symptoms were pruritus,fatigue,anorexia and jaundice.The levels of ALP and GGT of all patients were elevated.40 patients(97.6%) have positive antimitochondrial antibody(AMA)/AMA-M2.Of 24 patients undergone liver biopsy,20 patients were in stage Ⅰor Ⅱand 4 were in stage Ⅲor Ⅳ.After treatment with Ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA) for 6 months,liver function was significantly improved.Conclusions PBC most frequently affects middle-aged women,characterised with elevated ALP,GGT and positive AMA/AMA-M2.Treatment with UDCA could significantly improve liver function of PBC.