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Prevalence of hepatobiliary dysfunction in patients with ulcerative colitis
P Aitola1, A L Karvonen, M Matikainen
1Department of Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, Finland.
Annales Chirurgiae Et Gynaecologiae
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Hepatobiliary dysfunction is common in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, with nearly 30% experiencing liver biochemistry abnormalities. Normal liver tests do not rule out histological changes, and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) affects 2% of UC patients.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Hepatology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
- Hepatobiliary complications can occur in UC patients.
- The prevalence of liver dysfunction in unselected UC cohorts requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the prevalence of hepatobiliary dysfunction in a regional, unselected group of ulcerative colitis patients.
- To assess the frequency of abnormal liver biochemistry and histological changes.
- To determine the incidence of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) in this UC cohort.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 534 ulcerative colitis patients.
- Review of liver biochemistry tests, including alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alanine amino-transferase (ALAT).
- Analysis of liver histology from routine biopsies at colectomy and diagnosis of PSC.
Main Results:
- 81% of patients had normal ALP and 72% had normal ALAT values historically.
- 6% of patients had ALP values >2x normal at least once.
- 34% of patients with liver biopsy showed histological changes, with 19% having normal liver biochemistry.
Conclusions:
- Minor hepatobiliary dysfunction is frequent in UC patients.
- Normal liver biochemistry does not exclude liver histology changes.
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) was diagnosed in 2% of patients, often with abnormal liver biochemistry.