The clinical and laboratory features associated with cancer in patients with primary biliary cholangitis: a longitudinal survey-based study.

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the clinical and laboratory features of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) patients complicated with cancer, and explore the potential factors associated with cancer.

METHODS

We consecutively enrolled PBC patients from January 2002 to February 2016 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital and performed a structured interview, systemic rheumatologic evaluation, and laboratory tests. The risk factors associated with cancer were analyzed with univariate and multivariable logistic regression and proportional hazard model.

RESULTS

Among the 580 PBC patients enrolled, 51 cancers were identified in 51 patients (8.8%), including 45 (88.2%) solid tumors and 6 (11.8%) hematologic malignancies. Patients with cancer were older (62.1 ± 9.6 vs. 55.4 ± 11.6 years, p < 0.01) than patients without cancer. Additionally, positive anti-centromere antibody (ACA) was more frequently observed in patients without cancer (25.9% vs 4.3%, p = 0.019) compared with patients with cancer diagnosed after establishing PBC. The median follow-up after the diagnosis of PBC was 4 years (IQR 2.0-6.6). Furthermore, multivariable logistic regression confirmed that older age was associated with cancer in PBC patients (odds ratio (OR) = 1.045, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.006-1.085), and positive ACA was a protective factor (OR = 0.116, 95% CI: 0.015-0.876). Additionally, proportional hazard model analysis revealed that age was a risk factor (hazard ratio = 1.045, 95% CI: 1.012-1.080), and positive ACA was a protective factor (hazard ratio = 0.232, 95% CI: 0.055-0.977) for cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Both solid tumor and hematologic malignancy were prevalent in PBC patients. Older age was associated with cancer, and positive ACA was a protective factor of cancer in PBC patients. Key Points • Patients with PBC could present with both solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. • Multivariable logistic regression and proportional hazard model analysis revealed that age was a risk factor as we know, and positive ACA was a protective factor.