Changes in PSC over the past 20 years

[Guest guest]

The

latest Scandanavian Journal of Gastroenterology

reports that the clinical spectrum of primary sclerosing

cholangitis has changed over the past 20 years.

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreaticography as a non-invasive diagnostic

tool used for diagnosis in primary sclerosing cholangitis. Together

with increased clinical awareness of the disease, it has led to earlier

diagnosis.

Dr Annika Bergquist and colleagues from Sweden investigated the clinical presentation of primary sclerosing cholangitis.

The investigative team

evaluated its association with inflammatory bowel disease and the development

of cholangiocarcinoma. The investigators conducted

their observation at 1 centre over 20 years.

The team diagnosed 246 patients

with well-defined primary sclerosing cholangitis, after 16 years of age and treated between 1984

and 2004.

Primary sclerosing

cholangitis and inflammatory bowel disease

characteristics were retrieved from the patients' medical records.

The team subdivided the

patients according to the date of diagnosis.

The investigators compared 185

primary sclerosing cholangitis

patients diagnosed before 1998 with 61 patients diagnosed after that date.

The investigative team found

that patients diagnosed after 1998 were significantly older at diagnosis.

The team noted that 47% of

patients diagnosed after 1998 presented with symptoms vs

63% in patients diagnosed before 1998.

About 69% of patients diagnosed

after 1998 had coexisting inflammatory bowel disease vs

82% in those diagnosed before this time.

In the whole group, the team

observed that women had significantly more symptoms than men, particularly

pruritus.

Dr Bergquist's

team concludes, “The clinical spectrum of primary sclerosing

cholangitis in Sweden has changed over the past 20 years.”

“Today, primary sclerosing cholangitis patients

are older at diagnosis, and the association with inflammatory bowel disease is

less frequent.”

Barb in Texas - Together in the Fight, Whatever it Takes!

Son Ken (32) UC 91 - PSC 99 Listed 7/21 @ Baylor Dallas