TY - JOUR
T1 - Plasma separation and anion adsorption transiently relieve intractable pruritus in primary biliary cirrhosis
AU - Pusl, Thomas
AU - Denk, Gerald U.
AU - Parhofer, Klaus G.
AU - Beuers, Ulrich
PY - 2006
Y1 - 2006
N2 - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pruritus can be a severely disabling symptom in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis who do not respond to treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid, anion exchangers, enzyme inducers, or opiate antagonists. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy of plasma separation and anion adsorption in the treatment of intractable pruritus of cholestasis. METHODS: Three patients with primary biliary cirrhosis and intractable pruritus defined by severity of pruritus 7 on a rating scale between 0 (no pruritus) and 10 (maximal pruritus) on at least 4 of 7 days despite medical treatment were treated with plasma separation and anion adsorption on three consecutive days. Fatigue was assessed using the Fisk Fatigue Severity Score and quality of life was assessed by the PBC-40, a disease specific health related quality of life measure. RESULTS: Improvement in pruritus, fatigue, and quality of life was transiently observed in all patients. Serum bile acid levels showed no association with intensity of pruritus, and the bile acid pattern was not altered. The treatment was well tolerated by all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma separation and anion adsorption seem to be a safe and effective therapeutic option for patients with primary biliary cirrhosis suffering from intractable pruritus
AB - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pruritus can be a severely disabling symptom in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis who do not respond to treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid, anion exchangers, enzyme inducers, or opiate antagonists. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy of plasma separation and anion adsorption in the treatment of intractable pruritus of cholestasis. METHODS: Three patients with primary biliary cirrhosis and intractable pruritus defined by severity of pruritus 7 on a rating scale between 0 (no pruritus) and 10 (maximal pruritus) on at least 4 of 7 days despite medical treatment were treated with plasma separation and anion adsorption on three consecutive days. Fatigue was assessed using the Fisk Fatigue Severity Score and quality of life was assessed by the PBC-40, a disease specific health related quality of life measure. RESULTS: Improvement in pruritus, fatigue, and quality of life was transiently observed in all patients. Serum bile acid levels showed no association with intensity of pruritus, and the bile acid pattern was not altered. The treatment was well tolerated by all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma separation and anion adsorption seem to be a safe and effective therapeutic option for patients with primary biliary cirrhosis suffering from intractable pruritus
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2006.08.008
DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2006.08.008
M3 - Article
C2 - 17046095
SN - 0168-8278
VL - 45
SP - 887
EP - 891
JO - Journal of Hepatology
JF - Journal of Hepatology
IS - 6
ER -