Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic inflammatory iver disease most commonly seen in middle—aged women. The cause is unknown but there is much evidence to support an autoimmune process, notably the strong (AMA).The disease has an association with the anti-mitochondrial antibodies insidious onset and patients with very early disease are usually only recognized,or elevated levels of serum alkaline following the incidental discovery of AMA phosphatase during screening for other disease Progression of the disease is slow but eventually many patients develop cirrhosis and ultimately death may of cirrhosis such as bleeding oeso-occur from liver failure or complications phageal varices. PBC was previously considered to be rare but recognition of cases earlier in the evolution of this chronic disease has allowed a more accurate of its incidence to be made. In northern Britain and Scandinavia PBC estimate of between 90 and 150 cases per 1000000 and in Europe it is has a prevalence now the most common indication for liver transplantation