Cholangite biliaire primitive : mise à jour [Primary biliary cholangitis : an update]

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune liver disease which affects primarily women and is characterized by progressive destruction of small intrahepatic bile ducts. Most common symptoms are fatigue and pruritus. Diagnostic hallmarks are cholestasis and positive antimitochondrial antibodies. The first-line therapy is ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), with excellent results when started at an early stage. Nevertheless, 30‑40 % of patients do not achieve a complete biochemical response with UDCA. In these cases, the adjunction of obeticholic acid can be discussed. Fibrates appear to be a promising alternative. Liver transplantation yields excellent outcomes in advanced cases.