The epidemiology of primary biliary cirrhosis in north-east England: an increasingly common disease?
Myszor, M.; James, O.F.
Quarterly Journal of Medicine 75(276): 377-385
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0033-5622 PMID: 2385742 Document Number: 358971
The reported incidence and prevalence of primary biliary cirrhosis has rise in the past 10 years in Northern Europe. In order to determine whether this is a genuine increase in the disease or an apparent increase due to increased awareness of physicians and more ready diagnosis, we have carried out a comprehensive epidemiological study of primary biliary cirrhosis. All possible cases from 1965-1987 were examined using the best case finding methods available. In a relatively stable population of about 1.92 million we identified 471 patients with 'possible' primary biliary cirrhosis and 347 with a definite, histologically confirmed, diagnosis. Prevalence rose from 18/1000000 in 1976 to 128.5/1000000 in 1987 (276/1000000 in women > 18 years). Increased awareness and availability of interested physicians seemed to be improtant contributing factors to the rise in prevalence. No important geographical clustering of cases was noted.