Real-world evidence of the use of ursodeoxycholic acid in primary biliary cholangitis at a reference center in Colombia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59093/27112330.136Keywords:
liver cirrhosis biliary, primary biliary cholangitis, ursodeoxycholic acid, liver transplant, liver transplantation.Abstract
Background. Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic intrahepatic cholestatic disease characterized by a slow progression leading to fibrosis and cirrhosis. The first-line treatment is ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), which primarily slows down the progression of fibrosis and the onset of terminal liver disease. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of UDCA in treating PBC, based on real-world
data from patients treated at a reference center in Colombia from 2009 until 2023. Methodology. Retrospective observational study of adult patients with PBC treated with UDCA in an outpatient setting. Demographic, clinical, and diagnostic information was obtained, with follow-up intervals ranging from 12 to 24 months from the initial consult, applying international criteria to determine treatment effectiveness. The analysis involved parametric and non-parametric methods, and a p<0.05 value was considered statistically significant. Results. A sample of 136 patients (96.3% females) with a median age of 53.2 years was obtained. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels decreased in 76.5% of patients at the 12th month of follow-up. At 24 months, a reduction in ALP was observed in 79.4% of the patients, while 49.5% had ALP levels <1.67 times the upper standard limit, reflecting an adequate response to treatment for the given duration. Conclusion. UDCA treatment benefits patients with PBC by improving their clinical condition and delaying disease progression, as shown by the stability of blood test results over time.
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