Description

Pares et al evaluated the response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) therapy in a patient with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). This can help to identify a patient who may benefit from more aggressive management. The authors are from Institut d'investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer(IDIAPS) in Barcelona.


Patient selection: PBC on ursodeoxycholic acid with elevated serum alkaline phosphatase at baseline

 

Outcome: biochemical response after 1 year of therapy

 

Criteria for biochemical response - one or both of the following:

(1) serum alkaline phosphatase normal after 1 year of treatment

(2) serum alkaline phosphatase decrease from baseline > 40%

 

decrease in serum alkaline phosphatase in percent from baseline =

= ((baseline) - (post therapy)) / (baseline) * 100%

 

A patient who met the criteria for biochemical response showed a survival similar to that of the control population. A patient who did not show a response tended have a worse outcome with some meeting the need for transplantation.


To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.