How the concept of biochemical response influenced the management of primary biliary cholangitis over time

W. J. Lammers*, M. Leeman, C. I. J. Ponsioen, K. Boonstra, K. J. van Erpecum, F. H. J. Wolfhagen, J. Ph. Kuyvenhoven, J. M. Vrolijk, J. P. H. Drenth, E. M. Witteman, C. M. J. van Nieuwkerk, B. W. van der Spek, B. J. M. Witteman, G. W. Erkelens, M. A. M. T. Verhagen, S. A. C. van Tuyl, A. C. Poen, J. T. Brouwer, F. ter Borg, G. H. KoekT. J. M. van Ditzhuijsen, B. E. Hansen, H. R. van Buuren

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background: Criteria assessing biochemical response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) are established risk stratification tools in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). We aimed to evaluate to what extent liver tests influenced patient management during a three decade period, and whether this changed over time.Methods: 851 Dutch PBC patients diagnosed between 1988 and 2012 were reviewed to assess patient management in relation to liver test results during UDCA treatment. To do so, biochemical response at one year was analysed retrospectively according to Paris-1 criteria.Results: Response was assessable for 687/851 (81%) patients; 157/687 non-responders. During a follow-up of 8.8 years (IQR 4.8-13.9), 141 died and 30 underwent liver transplantation. Transplant-free survival of non-responders 60%) was significantly worse compared with responders (87%) (p < 0.0001). Management was modified in 46/157 (29%) non-responders. The most frequent change observed, noted in 26/46 patients, was an increase in UDCA dosage. Subsequently, 9/26 (35%) non-responders became responders within the next two years. Steroid treatment was started in one patient; 19 patients were referred to a tertiary centre. No trend towards more frequent changes in management over time was observed (p = 0.10).Conclusion: Changes in medical management occurred in a minority of non-responders. This can largely be explained by the lack of accepted response criteria and of established second-line treatments for PBC. Nevertheless, the observation that response-guided management did not increase over time suggests that awareness of the concept of biochemical response requires further attention, particularly since new treatment options for PBC will soon become available.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)240-246
JournalNetherlands Journal of Medicine
Volume74
Issue number6
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2016

Keywords

  • Autoimmune liver disease
  • cholestasis
  • second-line therapy

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