CLINICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY BILIARY CIRRHOSIS

Background. Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by a slow progredient course of the inflammatory process in the portal tracts and immune – mediated destruction of the intrahepatic bile ducts. Objective: to describe clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis in the Republic of Belarus.Materials and methods. The subjects of the study were 71 patients diagnosed with PBC. The materials of the study were patients’ blood plasma and serum, bioptic liver specimens, and data of the number connection test. Quality of life was assessed on admission using Short Form Medical Outcomes Study (SF-36). Results. All patients with PBC were female; the average age was 55 years, that coincides with menopause. The article presents clinical, laboratory characteristics and the analysis of psycho-emotional status of patients with PBC. Conclusion. The article describes patients with PBC taking into account clinical and biochemical characteristics and age. These data will contribute to earlier detection, prevention of end-stage disease and the improvement of associated symptoms thus reducing the impact of the progressive nature of the disease.