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. 2000 Apr;76(894):199–206. doi: 10.1136/pmj.76.894.199

Primary biliary cirrhosis: new perspectives in diagnosis and treatment

M Prince 1, D Jones 1
PMCID: PMC1741548  PMID: 10727561

Abstract

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterised by cholestatic liver function tests, antimitochondrial antibodies, and abnormal liver histology. Early descriptions of a rare rapidly progressive disease no longer reflect the more indolent progress often seen today. Many patients have significant long term morbidity through symptoms such as fatigue and itch with a minority progressing to liver failure and need for transplantation. The current data on the diagnosis, clinical progression, and treatment of PBC are reviewed.


Keywords: primary biliary cirrhosis; liver transplantation; pruritus

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Selected References

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