Primary biliary cirrhosis of the liver

The disease may not be felt for a long period, leaking without significant symptoms, which excludes timely treatment and leads to the development of prolonged cholestasis. The result of this disease is the formation of cirrhosis of the liver, in the late stages of the disease.

Researchers from the University of Newcastle( Newcastle University, UK) conducted research and concluded that the development of this liver disease, namely, primary biliary cirrhosis, is typical for people suffering from genetic predisposition, as well as those who often use hair dyes. The fact that the original cause is excessive consumption of alcohol - remains a myth.

The first disease described Addison and Gull in 1851, and later - Hano. Initially, the disease was called "xanthomatous biliary cirrhosis", justifying it by the level of cholesterol in the serum, and also by the presence of xanthomas. She got her name from Ahrens, although many consider him not quite right, as the early stages of the disease reveal the nodes of regeneration, and there is no cirrhosis yet. Sokreye would be more correct to define this disease as a "chronic, purulent, destructive cholangitis," and not "primary biliary cirrhosis."But the existing term has become more generally accepted.

Primary biliary cirrhosis - not a very common disease, its number is approximately 23-25 ​​patients, per 1 million adult population of the planet.

To date, the etiology of primary biliary cirrhosis remains unknown, it is suggested that genetic factors play a big role, the cause of such conjectures is the family cases of the disease, but their frequency is also not large enough to confirm genetic dependence. Usually it was 1-7% of all known cases.

Another fact is that this disease is found all over the world. The defeat of primary biliary cirrhosis varies considerably in countries and even in different regions of one country. The increase in the number of patients is usually more associated with raising the awareness of doctors, identifying patients at early stages, improving the diagnosis, which allows to identify patients with minimal symptoms, by setting a response to serum AMA.

If you look at the manifestations of primary biliary cirrhosis from the inside, you can clearly determine the increase in the liver, a pronounced greenish color, enlarged lymph nodes in the gates of the liver.

Symptoms of primary biliary cirrhosis.

In the main risk group, for the disease will be: women aged 35-50.For men, primary biliary cirrhosis is not typical, but there are exceptions. The first sign of the disease is itching, which is rarely accompanied by jaundice. The development of jaundice is observed for 6 months - 2 years after the onset of itching. Therefore, the first specialist to whom patients turn is a dermatologist. But there are exceptions, when the itch is almost that immediately begins to be accompanied by jaundice. This procedure simplifies the diagnosis and the establishment of the correct diagnosis, and, accordingly, timely treatment of the patient.

The same scientists conducted a study. For him, 5,000 people were invited, some of whom were already susceptible to the disease. Subjects were asked to answer questions that related to genetic and potential environmental factors in the development of primary biliary cirrhosis. Thus, it was found that patients with primary biliary cirrhosis in most cases also suffered from other autoimmune ailments. These included: diseases of the thyroid gland and celiac disease, as well as rheumatoid arthritis. Another fact became clear that most patients also had a predisposition to the disease.

Among the subjects not yet exposed to primary biliary cirrhosis, people suffering from psoriasis, and shingles, infections of the urogenital tract had the greatest risk of getting sick.

Treatment.

In primary biliary cirrhosis, the general course of treatment is usually started with a symptomatic treatment aimed at reducing itching and steatorrhea. Due to the fact that the bile in the intestine leads to osteomalacia( loss of vitamin D and calcium), then vitamin D and calcium are prescribed for its elimination. Another symptom is osteoporosis, by the way it has more clinical significance and is much more common. This symptomatic disease is difficult to treat, but requires the appointment of calcium and increased levels of physical activity. Previously, the same treatment with calcitonin, but unfortunately it was not effective. Sometimes the treatment is carried out using a course of hormone replacement therapy. Such treatment is more effective, but it can also provoke the development of breast cancer.

Forecast.

It is rather difficult to predict such a disease as primary biliary cirrhosis, since the course of this disease is unpredictable, largely due to the lack of pronounced symptoms. This creates significant difficulties in the process of diagnosing the disease in the patient, as well as all members of his family.

There are probably two possible variants. The first is the case when the symptoms of primary biliary cirrhosis do not develop at all. In another case, there will be a progressive deterioration in diagnosis and treatment.

For the majority of patients, the only chance of survival remains liver transplantation, at the terminal stage of primary biliary cirrhosis.

Thus, it can be concluded that the definition and timely treatment of this disease, can not yet guarantee the patient a full recovery, but significantly increases his chances. If you have a predisposition to this disease, or the symptoms last a long time - be sure to inform the doctor about it.