title: Pruritus and fatigue in primary biliary cirrhosis.
abstract: Pruritus is experienced by about 80% of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. It can have a marked negative impact on the quality of life of patients, and it can be an indication for liver transplantation. There is evidence to suggest that the pruritus of cholestasis is mediated, at least in part, by endogenous opioids. A central component has been proposed. Behavioural data have shed light on the pathogenesis of this form of pruritus. Fatigue affects the majority of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. It interferes with work performance and family life. An idea is emerging that suggests that fatigue in primary biliary cirrhosis also may be mediated centrally. Research tools need to be developed to study fatigue objectively in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, 630 W 168 St, P & S 10-508, New York, New York, 10032, USA.
authors.forename: N V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Bergasa
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Mehlman
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D005221:Fatigue / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008105:Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D018847:Opioid Peptides / Q000502:physiology; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D018847:Opioid Peptides; D012701:Serotonin