PRIMARY BILIARY CHOLANGITIS AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Introduction and Objectives

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic autoimmune liver disease that predominantly affects middle-aged women and often coexists with other autoimmune conditions. Fatigue and pruritus are common symptoms. Understanding the clinical profile and disease progression is key to optimizing patient care.

Describe the clinical and demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and disease course, including hepatic decompensation in patients with PBC.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective, cross-sectional, observational, and descriptive study was conducted in 73 adults (≥18 years) with confirmed PBC, based on clinical and serological criteria, treated between January 2022 and December 2024. A non-probabilistic convenience sampling method was used. Variables included age, sex, BMI, comorbidities, symptoms, serum albumin, total bilirubin, INR, platelet count, and hepatic decompensation. Descriptive statistics were applied using medians and interquartile ranges for continuous variables, and frequencies for categorical ones.

Results

The mean age was 58 ± 11 years, with 87% being female. The average BMI was 27.2 ± 4.5 kg/m². Common comorbidities included hypertension (35%), diabetes (20%), thyroid disease (25%), and osteoporosis (22%). Fatigue was reported in 65% and pruritus in 50% of patients. Autoimmune associations were present in 30%. Hepatic decompensation occurred in 11%, primarily ascites or jaundice. These patients had elevated bilirubin (1.9 ± 0.7 mg/dL) and lower platelets (190 ± 48 ×10³/mm³), compared to the overall cohort averages: albumin 4.0 ± 0.4 g/dL, bilirubin 1.3 ± 0.6 mg/dL, INR 1.05 ± 0.1, and platelets 225 ± 55 ×10³/mm³.

Conclusions

These findings support the need for ongoing surveillance and multidisciplinary management in PBC.

Conflict of interest: None

Clinical and Laboratory Findings	Frequency / Percentage
Mean age	58 ± 11 years
Female sex	64 (87%)
Mean BMI	27.2 ± 4.5 kg/m^2
Arterial hypertension	26 (35%)
Type 2 diabetes mellitus	15 (20%)
Thyroid disease	18 (25%)
Osteoporosis	16 (22%)
Fatigue	47 (65%)
Pruritus	37 (50%)
Associated autoimmune disease	22 (30%)
Hepatic decompensation	8 (11%)
Mean albumin	4.0 ± 0.4 g/dL
Mean total bilirubin	1.3 ± 0.6 mg/dL (1.9 ± 0.7 in decompensated)
Mean INR	1.05 ± 0.1
Mean platelet count	225 ± 55 ×10^3/mm^3 (190 ± 48 in decompensated)