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PBC: the basics
PBC is an autoimmune liver disease1,2
- The body’s immune system (which is designed to protect you against infections) mistakes your bile duct cells in the liver as foreign objects and attacks them
- When this happens, this causes inflammation and progressive damage to the liver ducts
PBC is chronic and progressive 1,2
- PBC will not go away and can get worse
- But, with proper treatment, it is possible to manage PBC
PBC affects your bile ducts 1,2
- Bile ducts play an important role in maintaining a healthy liver
- PBC damages the bile ducts, causing a buildup of bile in the liver (known as cholestasis)
- Cholestasis can cause harmful scarring, known as fibrosis
- When fibrosis gets worse, it can result in cirrhosis – which severely interferes with the liver function
- In PBC, cirrhosis is not related to drinking alcohol
What causes PBC? 1,2
- The exact cause is still unknown; however, it is known that PBC is not caused by drinking alcohol
- PBC is not your fault and it’s not contagious
- Environmental toxins, such as cigarette smoke or chemical exposure, may play a role in causing PBC
- Scientists believe that PBC can be inherited - if someone in your family has PBC, other members are more likely to have it
What’s in the name? 2
Primary:
A disease that starts spontaneously and without an obvious cause
Biliary:
Related to or affecting the bile ducts in the liver
Cholangitis:
Inflammation of the bile ducts
Understanding PBC
A short, educational video on the pathogenesis of PBC
REFERENCES:
-
PBC Foundation. About PBC. Available at:https://www.pbcfoundation.org.uk/what-is-pbc/about-pbc/ Last accessed: November 2023.
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Canadian Liver Foundation. Primary Biliary Cholangitis. Available at:https://www.liver.ca/patients-caregivers/liver-diseases/primary-biliary-cholangitis/ Last accessed: November 2023.
