Abstract
We studied eight cases of primary biliary cirrhosis associated with other rheumatic or autoimmune diseases, who had been followed in our division since 1979 to 1988.
Five cases of Sjögren's syndrome, three cases of rheumatoid arthritis, five cases of progressive systemic sclerosis, one case of CREST syndrome, one case of MCTD and two cases of chronic thyroiditis were included. In this study, all of them had no symptom of primary biliary cirrhosis. Seven cases had elevated serum ALP and IgM levels. Decreased level of serum ALP was observed in two cases treated with thyroxine. It was suggested that thyroxine was of benefit in the clinical course of primary biliary cirrhosis. Laboratory tests showed positive anti-M2 antibody in all cases (100%) and positive anticentromere antibody in four cases (50%).
We conclude that immunological tests such as serum anti-mitochondrial antibody, anti-M2 antibody and anticentromere antibody should be performed in a case with such rheumatic diseases who shows liver dysfunction, and liver biopsy need to be performed to confirm the diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis.
