PSC-DM: A Validated Clinical Diagnostic Model for Distinguishing Primary From Secondary Sclerosing Cholangitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a rare, progressive cholangiopathy for which diagnosis remains challenging because of the absence of disease-specific markers and the presence of secondary causes of sclerosing cholangitis (SSC) that closely mimic its clinical presentation. Diagnostic uncertainty can delay appropriate management and add to the psychological burden experienced by patients. This study aimed to identify clinical parameters that support the early and accurate differentiation of PSC from SSC.

We conducted a multicentre retrospective study of adults with an established diagnosis of PSC or SSC. Independent predictors of PSC were identified using multivariable logistic regression and externally validated in an independent cohort.

In the derivation cohort (n = 234, 155 PSC, 79 SSC), six variables were independently associated with PSC diagnosis, including younger age at presentation (p < 0.0001), presence of IBD (p < 0.0001), absence of prior hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery (p < 0.0001), autoimmune comorbidities (p = 0.0038), family history of autoimmune diseases (p = 0.0086), and absence of pancreatic abnormalities (p = 0.0338). These variables were used to develop the PSC diagnostic model (PSC-DM). In the external validation cohort (n = 142, 98 PSC, 44 SSC), the AUROC of PSC-DM was 0.95 (95% CI 0.91-0.98). In an exploratory analysis, PSC-DM significantly improved non-expert diagnostic accuracy (94.3% versus 78.6%, p = 0.0023).

PSC-DM is a simple, externally validated clinical prediction model that accurately distinguishes PSC from SSC using routinely available clinical variables. It may support initial diagnostic assessment in non-specialist settings, facilitate timely referral to expert centres and improve patient selection for clinical trials.