Author information
1Calotis, Mauvezin d'Armagnac, France.
2Reference Center for Inflammatory Biliary Diseases and Autoimmune Hepatitis, French Network for Rare Liver Diseases in Adults and Children (FILFOIE), European Reference Network Rare-Liver, Saint-Antoine Hospital, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP), Sorbonne University, Paris, France.
3Hepatology and Gastroenterology Unit, Centre Hospitalier Régional, Orléans La-Source, France.
4Montpellier Center for Liver and Digestive System Diseases, Montpellier, France.
5Hepatology and Gastroenterology Unit, Centre Hospitalier, Avignon, France.
6Hepatology and Gastroenterology Unit, Hôpital de Jolimont, La Louvière, Belgium.
7Hepatology and Gastroenterology Unit, Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal, Créteil, France.
8Hepatology and Gastroenterology Unit, Centre Hospitalier d' Hyères, Hyères, France.
9Hepatology and Gastroenterology Unit, Centre Hospitalier de Creil, Creil, France.
Abstract
Background and aims: To assess the characteristics, care, treatment response, and outcomes of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) patients recently followed-up by hepato-gastroenterologists in various French and Belgian healthcare settings.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients with PBC who recently visited 79 hepato-gastroenterologists in France and Belgium. Data were collected at the time of diagnosis and at last visit and were compared according to biochemical response (BR) to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) (BR), using Paris I-II criteria, and clinical outcomes.
Results: A total of 436 patients (mean age at diagnosis 57 years, 88% females, median follow-up 5.2 years) were included. Liver biopsy, transient elastography, or none of these two procedures were performed at baseline in 216 (50%), 194 (45%), and 107 (25%) patients, respectively. Late-stage disease (histological stage III or IV, or transient elastography ≥9.6 kPa, or bilirubin >17 µM and albumin <35 g/L, or platelets <150.000/µl, or unequivocal signs of portal hypertension or cirrhosis) was reported in 37% of patients. UDCA was taken by 95% of patients (27% had suboptimal dosage). Inadequate BR was observed in 37% of patients. Clinicians overestimated disease control. Liver-related complications occurred in 9% of patients. Bilirubin and albumin independently predicted inadequate BR; advanced disease stage and inadequate BR independently predicted complications.
Conclusions: Recently followed-up French and Belgian patients with PBC had homogeneous management. Late stage at diagnosis and inadequate BR were reported in around 40% of patients. Disease control was frequently overestimated by clinicians. Disease stage and BR were the main prognostic factors.