What is
PBC?
PBC is a leading cause of liver transplant for women.
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a rare liver disease that is caused by an autoimmune reaction. The autoimmune reaction damages bile ducts in the liver. Bile ducts are tube-like structures that carry bile from the liver to the intestine to help with the digestion of food.
When bile is not able to move through the bile ducts, it collects in the liver and causes damage. PBC is progressive, which means that the damage gets worse over time. Starting with inflammation, the damage can cause fibrosis, and then cirrhosis. In some cases, cirrhosis can lead to liver failure.
The rate of damage caused by PBC varies in different people. If left untreated, PBC can get significantly worse in 2 years, making it important to get an early diagnosis to start treatment as quickly as possible.
Once someone is diagnosed with PBC, it is important to talk to a doctor about getting regular liver function tests to track the progression of the disease.
It is estimated that 90% of people who are diagnosed with PBC are women. Many people who are diagnosed with PBC are between 40-60 years of age. It is important to note, however, that men and young women can also develop PBC.
This mother, teacher and motorcycle enthusiast is living with PBC.
The most common symptoms of PBC are pruritus, or itching, and fatigue. Some people with PBC can also experience dry eyes and mouth. For people with more advanced PBC, serious liver damage can cause jaundice, or a yellowing of the skin and eyes.
Many people do not experience any symptoms at the beginning of their PBC. The only sign that they have PBC is that abnormalities appear in their liver function test results.
Doctors can test for PBC by taking blood samples and measuring certain chemicals related to liver function. The tests will show if there are elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and if antimitochondrial antibodies (AMAs) are present, which can be indicators of PBC.
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Exploring Racial Differences and Disparities in PBC Care