Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has an established effect on liver biochemistries in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Few studies have evaluated long-term laboratory treatment effects and data beyond 6 years are not available. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term evolution of liver biochemistries during prolonged treatment with UDCA in biochemically non-advanced PBC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective multicenter cohort study of patients with PBC with pretreatment normal bilirubin and albumin, treated with UDCA 13-15mg/kg/day. At yearly intervals, follow-up data including serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), transaminases, albumin and IgM were collected. Data were analyzed with a repeated measurement model. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-five patients were included and followed during a median period of 10.3 years. Following 1-year treatment with UDCA 36-100% of the total biochemical improvement was achieved, the maximum response was observed after 3 years. After initial improvements, bilirubin and AST levels increased and albumin levels significantly decreased after 6-10 years. However, these changes were of limited magnitude. The beneficial effects on ALT and ALP were maintained while IgM continued to decrease. CONCLUSION: In non-advanced PBC the biochemical response to UDCA is maintained up to 15 years. The long-term evolution of bilirubin, albumin and ALT differs from that of ALP and AST. The mean IgM level normalised and levels continued to decrease during the period of follow-up.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 29-33 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Clinics and research in hepatology and gastroenterology |
Volume | 35 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2011 |
Keywords
- TREATED PATIENTS
- PROGNOSIS
- TRIAL
- PREDICTORS
- URSODIOL
- FIBROSIS
- PBC