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 . . .