Asymptomatic primary biliary cirrhosis: clinical features, prognosis, and symptom progression in a large population based cohort

Abstract

Although asymptomatic PBC is less severe at diagnosis than symptomatic disease, it is not associated with a better prognosis, possibly due to an increase in non-hepatic deaths. The reasons for this are unclear but may reflect confounding by other risk factors or surveillance bias. These findings have important implications for future treatment strategies.