Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

Abstract

Primary biliary cirrhosis is a chronic, progressive cholestatic liver disease of unknown cause that usually affects middle-aged women and eventually leads to liver failure and the need for liver transplantation. It is diagnosed more frequently now than it was a decade ago because of its greater recognition by physicians and the widespread use of automated blood testing and the antimitochondrial-antibody test, which is relatively specific for the disease.¹ Important advances have been made in our understanding of the natural history, pathogenesis, and treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis since the subject was last reviewed in the Journal.² Little has changed . . .