A Multi-center Prospective-retrospective Study of the Clinical Characteristics, Biochemical Response, and Long-term Outcomes in Patients With Primary Biliary Cholangitis

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune liver disease predominantly affecting middle-aged women. While historically it was deemed rare, advancements in specific auto-antibody tests have led to increased recognition of PBC. The long-term survival of PBC patients in China is not yet fully understood. Several studies have investigated the prognosis of PBC in China. While these studies provide valuable insights into the disease characteristics and prognostic factors of PBC in China, they are all single-center studies with limitations. They lack consideration of the impact of symptoms, varying disease stages, and second-line treatments on prognosis. Therefore, there is a pressing need for multicenter and large-scale studies to further elucidate the characteristics and long-term survival of PBC patients in China.

Biochemical response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is an independent factor associated with long-term survival. Unfortunately, approximately 30-40% of PBC patients demonstrate insufficient biochemical response to UDCA. In our cohort, we reported a higher nonresponse rate, with about 44% according to the Paris I criteria. These patients remain at risk for disease progression to advanced stages and may benefit from additional second-line drug therapies. With significant advancements in the development of new drugs for PBC, a comprehensive understanding of patients with suboptimal responses to UDCA-including long-term prognosis, the distribution of different disease stages, and the prevalence of pruritus-will provide a basis for individualized treatment strategies.

Additionally, fatigue and pruritus are prevalent symptoms for PBC patients and fluctuates independently of disease activity or stage, which significantly diminishing health-related quality of life. However, the incidence and impact of fatigue and pruritus on long-term outcomes for PBC patients in China need further clarification.

Therefore, we would like to conduct this multicenter study to estimate the prevalence of PBC in China and to evaluate the symptomatic burden, treatment, and long-term outcomes among PBC patients in China.