title: [Evaluation of markers associated with primary biliary cirrhosis in a population of anti-mitochondrial antibody-M2-positive individuals].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the distribution of the main clinical symptoms and signs of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) in a population of individuals with positivity for anti-mitochondrial antibody-M2 (AMA-M2).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 20 970 persons who participated in routine health examinations at our hospital were tested for presence and level of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) using an indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) assay and of AMA-M2 by western blotting. The chi-square test was used for statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Titers of ANAs more than 1:320 were detected in 1 243 of all the study participants, with 156 of those individuals having detectable AMA-M2.The overall rate ofAMA-M2 positivity was 0.74%, with a significantly higher rate among female subjects (males:0.3% (32/10 550) vs.females:1.2% (124/10 420); x2=55.85, P less than 0.05). Among the AMA-M2-positive population there were 66 cases of abnormal liver function, 58 cases of increased alkaline phosphatase, 72 cases of abnormal findings for routine blood testing, 47 cases of gallbladder disease history, 49 cases of diabetes history, 22 cases of allergy, 75 cases of abdominal discomfort, 38 cases of weakness, 3 cases of jaundice, and 11 cases of pruritus. There were significant differences between the AMA-M2-negative individuals and the AMA-M2-positive individuals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among the general population, individuals with substandard states of health, such as those with abnormal findings in routine blood tests and abnormal liver function, should be screened for AMA-M2. This screening will facilitate early diagnosis of PBC and timely initiation of disease management, improving the patient's life quality of life and prolonging their life.
authors.affiliation: First Central Hospital of Baoding City, Baoding Hebei 071000, China.
authors.forename: Yaping
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Chunguang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jinmei
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Man
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Zhenzhuang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Song
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Mengsi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Shuqin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guo
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D015153:Blotting, Western; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006801:Humans; D008105:Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D011537:Pruritus; D011788:Quality of Life
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers