[Clinical-dispensary finding of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis]

Ten patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) were clinically followed under the conditions of follow-up care. The diagnosis of the patients was made vie biochemical immunologic, histological and instrumental investigations. The average term for follow up was 4 years and 5 months. All patients were actively checked up by summoning every 6 months. The average incidence of hospitalization at the clinic was 1 year and 5 months. Pruritus preceded all other symptoms--1 year and 11 months on the average. Jaundice was established 1 year and 7 months after the manifestation of pruritus and the dirty greyish pigmentation of the skin--1 year and 11 months after pruritus. Hepatomegaly was established 1 year and 7 months after pruritus. Increased alkaline phosphatase, blood bilirubin and cholesterol were observed in all patients and increase of IgM in 80 per cent, and antimitochondrial antibodies--in 70 per cent. Xanthelasma and xanthoma were found only in patients with high levels of cholesterol and total fats. The treatment with dihydrocortison induced stomach complaints (erosive gastritis), intersifying bone chanes in 20 per cent of the patients. X-ray and instrumental methods have a relative value in making the diagnosis of PBC. It could be concluded from the complex treatment that corticosteroids give complications and the treatment with cholestiramine--to attenuation of pruritus. The average survival after making the diagnosis is 6 years.