Primary biliary cirrhosis in India

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a rare cause of chronic liver disease in India. We analyzed the clinical, biochemical, serological and histological features of patients with PBC for over a 10-year period.

PBC was diagnosed by the presence of raised level of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), anti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA) positivity (1:40 dilution), and/or diagnostic liver histology.

Fifteen female patients with mean age of 46.5+/-11 years were studied. Pruritus (80%) followed by jaundice (67%), skin changes (pigmentation, coarsening, xanthelesma and vitiligo) (67%) and fatigue (60%) were common symptoms. The mean duration of the symptoms was 3.5+/-5.4 years (3 months to 20 years). Dryness of eyes was observed in only 2 patients. Hepatomegaly was noted in 87% of the patients and ascites at presentation in 40%. Mean levels of bilirubin and albumin at the time of diagnosis were 3.4+/-3.3 mg/dl and 3.5+/-0.8 g/dl, respectively. The level of serum ALP ranged from 54 to 2400 IU/L, with a median being 552 IU/L (2 x ULN). In all the 15 patients with AMA positive, 8 (53%) were also positive for either anti-nuclear or anti-smooth muscle antibodies. Two patients presented with persistently elevated SAP after an acute hepatitic illness. Liver biopsy was available in 13 patients, diagnostic of PBC II & III (8) and with evidence of cirrhosis (5). Associated autoimmune disorders were observed in 5 patients (33%). The mean time for follow-up was 26+/-21 months (1 to 87 months). In 4 deaths, 3 were due to liver related causes.

PBC is a rare cause of chronic liver disease in India. PBC in India, unlike in the West, presents late, often with features of cirrhosis and decompensation.