hepatic and biliary disorders
Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC)
Prognosis for Primary Biliary Cholangitis
Usually, PBC progresses to terminal stages over 15 to 20 years, although the rate of progression varies. PBC may not diminish quality of life for many years. Patients who present without symptoms tend to develop symptoms over 2 to 7 years but may not do so for 10 to 15 years. Once symptoms develop, median life expectancy is 10 years. Predictors of rapid progression include the following: Rapid worsening of symptoms Advanced histologic changes Older patient age Presence of edema Presence of associated autoimmune disorders Abnormalities in bilirubin,albumin, prothrombin time, or international normalized ratio (INR) The prognosis is ominous when pruritus disappears, xanthomas shrink, jaundice develops, and serum cholesterol decreases. 