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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.
1Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and the.
2Laboratory of Pathology, Intramural Division, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.
Abstract
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.