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1994-01-17
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$Unique_ID{BRK01893}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Primary Biliary Cirrhosis: Causes and Treatments}
$Subject{Primary Biliary Cirrhosis cause caused Causes treat treatment
Treatments liver biopsy cure cures disease diseases woman women female females
man men male males die died dead death fatal symptom symptoms fatigue fatigued
fatigable fatigability itch itched Itching bone bones compress compressed
compression fracture fractures break broke vertebra sign indication yellow
skin xanthomata xanthelasma Jaundice Blood test tests autoimmune disorder
disorders rheumatoid arthritis celiac Sjogren's Syndrome Hashimoto's
thyroiditis immune medication medications drug drugs prescription
prescriptions vitamin Vitamins A D K deficient deficiency deficiencies
supplement supplements Cholestyramine pruritus transplant transplantation
cyclosporine}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Anatomy of the Spine*0006701.scf
Compression Injury of the Spinal Cord*0006807.scf
Diseases of the Liver*0016101.scf
Rheumatoid Arthritis*0001703.scf
Symptoms of Cirrhosis of the Liver*0009703.scf
What Causes Cirrhosis of the Liver*0009702.scf}
Copyright (c) 1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
Primary Biliary Cirrhosis: Causes and Treatments
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QUESTION: Would you please explain Primary Biliary Cirrhosis? I have a
friend who was told she had this disease after having a liver biopsy. What
are the causes and are there any cures? Is it fatal? Thank you so much.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANSWER: Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC) was first described in 1851, and of
late seems to be on the increase in both the United States and Europe. It is
a chronic, progressive disease, that most commonly affects women between the
ages of 40 to late 60's, though it is neither limited to these ages or to
women alone. The disease runs a long, progressive course lasting about 20
years between diagnosis and death. The first symptom is usually one of easy
fatigability, just as with many other chronic liver diseases. Itching may be
pronounced and in some cases there is bone pain that relates to compression
fractures of the vertebra. The most common sign, easily noted, is the
presence of yellow skin patches known as xanthomata. The most common of these
occur around the eyes (xanthelasma), which is noted in about 20 percent of all
cases. Jaundice can be seen in late stages of the disease.
Blood tests of liver functions provide important clues that aid in the
diagnosis, and a liver biopsy, when it analyzes a small sample of liver tissue
under a microscope, often provides the definitive answer. The disease is
often associated with other autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis,
celiac disease, Sjogren's Syndrome, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which gives
added credibility to the theory that it too is an autoimmune disease.
Laboratory tests also seems to indicate that the body's immune system is
affected and is at the base of the changes seen in PBC.
While no specific medication or treatments exist, a great many supportive
measures can be used to help slow the progress of the disease and minimize
symptoms. Vitamins A and D as well as deficiencies in Vitamin K should be
reduced with vitamin supplements. Cholestyramine is usually effective in
reducing the itching (pruritus). When jaundice mounts and liver failure is
likely, liver transplantation may offer hope, for the 5 year survival rate
after this operation with the use of cyclosporine has been reported to be
better than 60 percent.
----------------
The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.