title: Primary biliary cirrhosis presenting with gastritis, hyperlipidemia and marked weight loss.
abstract: We report an unusual presentation of primary biliary cirrhosis. We present the case of a 31-year-old Indian woman who presented to the hospital with non specific complaints of gastritis, reduced appetite and marked weight loss and no complaints of pruritus. Serum liver enzymes were elevated. Cytoplasmic pattern of antinuclear antibodies was found on immunofluorescence microscopy accompanied by positive anti smooth muscle antibody. Endoscopy revealed esophageal varices. Following a liver biopsy, the diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis was made. It is important to consider the diagnosis of hepatic cirrhosis when patient presents with gastritis, reduced appetite and marked weight loss in both the presence and absence of ascites.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, The Mission Hospital, Immon Kalyan Sarani, sector 2C, Bidhannagar, Durgapur, 713212 West Bengal India.
authors.forename: Moushumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lodh
authors.forename: Debkanta
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pradhan
authors.forename: Abhishek
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mukherjee