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Abstract Details
Longitudinal Assessment of Bile Duct Loss in Primary Biliary Cholangitis
Am J Gastroenterol. 2022 Sep 1. doi: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000001985. Online ahead of print.
Introduction: Bile duct involvement is a key finding of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). The aim of this study was to evaluate baseline ductopenia and disease progression.
Methods: Retrospective longitudinal histological follow-up of treatment-naïve patients with PBC.
Results: 83 patients were included, with ductopenia correlated to fibrosis stage at baseline. The cumulative incidence of severe ductopenia remained stable after 5 years while fibrosis continually increased over time. Baseline APRI and elevated alkaline phosphatase >2 times the normal with abnormal bilirubin were associated with ductopenia progression.
Conclusion: Bile duct injury does not appear to follow the same course as fibrosis in PBC.