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Cirrhosis, Primary Biliary

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Cirrhosis, Primary Biliaryis not the name you expected.

Synonyms

  • PBC

Disorder Subdivisions

  • None

General Discussion

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic progressive liver disorder that primarily affects females and typically becomes apparent during middle age. Obstruction of the small bile ducts is accompanied by yellow discoloration of the skin (jaundice). Excessive amounts of copper accumulate in the liver, and fibrous or granular hardening (induration) of the soft liver tissue develops. The course of primary biliary cirrhosis is divided into four progressive stages. Although the exact cause of primary biliary cirrhosis is unknown, possible immunological, autoimmune, genetic, and/or environmental factors are under investigation as potential causes of the disorder.
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Resources

American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.
22100 Gratiot Avenue
Eastpointe
MI
48021-2227
Tel: (586)776-3900
Fax: (586)776-3903
800: (800)598-4668
aarda@aarda.org
http://www.aarda.org/

American Liver Foundation
75 Maiden Lane
Suite 603
New York
NY
10038
USA
Tel: (212)668-1000
Fax: (212)483-8179
800: (800)465-4837
info@liverfoundation.org
http://www.liverfoundation.org

NIH/National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
2 Information Way
Bethesda
MD
20892-3570
Tel: (301)654-3810
Fax: (301)907-8906
800: (800)891-5389
nddic@info.niddk.nih.gov
http://www.niddk.nih.gov

Primary Biliary Cirrhosis Support Group
1430 Garden Road
Pearland
TX
77581
USA
Tel: (281)412-9161
Fax: (281)412-9161
PBCers@aol.com
http://www.pbcers.org

Autoimmune Information Network, Inc
PO Box 4121
Brick
NJ
08723
Tel: (732)664-9259
autoimmunehelp@aol.com
http://www.aininc.org

European Society for Immunodeficiencies (ESID)
c/o Dr. Esther de Vries
Jeroen Bosch Hospital
Dept. Paediatrics
P.O. Box 90153
Hertogenbosch
5200 ME's
Netherlands
Tel: +31 73-6992965
Fax: +31 73-6992948
info@esid.org
http://www.esid.org

AutoImmunity Community
Tel: (919) 552-9057
bandrews@autoimmunitycommunity.org
http://autoimmunitycommunity.org

For a Complete Report:

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated:  8/7/2007
Copyright  1989, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2007 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

WebMD Medical Reference from the National Organization of Rare Disorders

Last Updated: August 07, 2007
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
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