[A two-year follow-up study on the efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid on primary biliary cirrhosis in different stages].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the therapeutic effect of primary biliary cirrhosis(PBC) in different stages with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA).


METHODS
91 patients with PBC were divided into 4 periods based on levels of liver test and symptoms. Clinical manifestations, biochemical changes and pathological changes were observed for 2 years on UDCA therapy.


RESULTS
The levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and glutamyltranspetidase (GGT) at the second PBC period were declined by 51.9% and 67.3% respectively after a 6-month UDCA therapy. The biochemical responses were 81.25% (Paris criteria) and 93.75% (Barcelona criteria). The levels of ALP and GGT at the third PBC period were declined by 48.8% and 46.6% after 6 months of UDCA therapy, and the biochemical responses were 36.84% (Paris criteria) and 57.89% (Barcelona criteria). Symptoms like fatigue, pruritus and jaundice after UDCA therapy were better than before. Same results also appeared at the fourth period. 11 patients in different periods underwent pathological examinations before and after UDCA therapy and no progression found in the first and the second periods, however difference found in the third and the fourth periods with the lymphocyte infiltration was less than before UDCA treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Good biochemical responds appear in patients at the second, third and forth periods after UDCA therapy, in which the second period is best. Symptoms could be improved after UDCA treatment. Early UDCA therapy is benefit for slowing down the progression of liver pathology.
Xijing Digestive Disease Hospital of the Forth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
Jiang-yi
JY
Zhu
Zeng-shan
ZS
Li
Wei
W
Yan
Jan-hong
JH
Wang
Xin-min
XM
Zhou
Rui-an
RA
Wang
Xiao-feng
XF
Huang
Yong-quan
YQ
Shi
Xu-yang
XY
Dong
Zhe-yi
ZY
Han
Ying
Y
Han
D000328:Adult; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008105:Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid