Longitudinal Assessment of Bile Duct Loss in Primary Biliary Cholangitis.

INTRODUCTION

Bile duct involvement is a key finding of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). The aim of this study was to evaluate baseline ductopenia and disease progression.

METHODS

Retrospective longitudinal histological follow-up of treatment-naive patients with PBC.

RESULTS

Eighty-three patients were included, with ductopenia correlated to fibrosis stage at baseline. The cumulative incidence of severe ductopenia remained stable after 5 years, whereas fibrosis continually increased over time. Baseline AST-to-Platelet Ratio Index and elevated alkaline phosphatase >2 times the normal with abnormal bilirubin were associated with ductopenia progression.

DISCUSSION: Bile duct injury does not seem to follow the same course as fibrosis in PBC.