Autoimmune cholestatic diseases have distinct serologies. Which statement is correct?

Prepare for Liver Disease and Tumors Test with tailored flashcards and questions. Get detailed explanations and improve your knowledge. Ace the medical student exam!

Multiple Choice

Autoimmune cholestatic diseases have distinct serologies. Which statement is correct?

Autoimmune cholestatic diseases are best understood by their distinct serologies and imaging patterns, and by the possibility of overlap with autoimmune hepatitis. Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) characteristically has anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA) positive and a cholestatic pattern on labs. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is the standard therapy and typically improves symptoms and biochemical markers, reflecting its benefit on bile flow and bile duct injury. Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) often shows multifocal bile duct strictures that create a beading appearance on cholangiography. p-ANCA is commonly detected in PSC, though not exclusive. Overlaps with autoimmune hepatitis can occur, giving features of AIH atop the cholestatic disease and affecting management. The other statements contradict these established features: AMA negativity with UDCA worsening symptoms is not correct for PBC; PBC and PSC are distinct diseases, not the same; and AIH can overlap with cholestatic diseases, so the idea that overlaps cannot occur is false.

Autoimmune cholestatic diseases are best understood by their distinct serologies and imaging patterns, and by the possibility of overlap with autoimmune hepatitis.

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) characteristically has anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA) positive and a cholestatic pattern on labs. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is the standard therapy and typically improves symptoms and biochemical markers, reflecting its benefit on bile flow and bile duct injury.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) often shows multifocal bile duct strictures that create a beading appearance on cholangiography. p-ANCA is commonly detected in PSC, though not exclusive. Overlaps with autoimmune hepatitis can occur, giving features of AIH atop the cholestatic disease and affecting management.

The other statements contradict these established features: AMA negativity with UDCA worsening symptoms is not correct for PBC; PBC and PSC are distinct diseases, not the same; and AIH can overlap with cholestatic diseases, so the idea that overlaps cannot occur is false.

More practice questions