Gastroenterology and Hepatology from Bed to Bench

Abstract

Aim: Since there is no effective therapy for PSC except for liver transplantation, we aimed to identify PSC predisposing factors to prevent IBD progression to PSC.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is commonly associated with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).

Patients and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on 447 IBD patients from IBD Clinics of Ghaem and Emam Reza Hospitals. The data were collected by interview and from patient’s recorded medical files. Patients were divided into IBD-PSC group and those without PSC. Variables were compared between two groups and those with statistically significant differences in IBD-PSC group were considered as predictive factors for development of PSC. Results: The Frequency of PSC in IBD patients was 4.3% and all of the PSC patients had UC. The mean age of patients with PSC and UC were 39.1±11.33 and 38.7±13.4 years. The male to female proportion in PSC patients was 3.8:1 and in IBD patients was 0.9:1. There were statistically significant associations among PSC with gender, IBD duration and UC extension, mucocutaneous involvement, OCP consumption, history of surgery and history of PSC in the first- degree relatives.

Conclusion: PSC frequency among IBD patients in north-east of Iran was 4.3%. Statistically significant associations were found among PSC with gender, IBD duration, UC extension, mucocutaneous involvement, and history of surgery and history of PSC in the first- degree relatives and OCP consumption. It’s recommended to limit OCP consumption in IBD patients. Identification, modification of probable predisposing risk factors and early diagnosis of PSC is necessary.