Korean J Intern Med.  2021 Mar;36(2):313-321. 10.3904/kjim.2019.234.

Environmental risk factors and comorbidities of primary biliary cholangitis in Korea: a case-control study

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital, Goyang, Korea
  • 2Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea
  • 3Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, Korea
  • 4Department of Internal Medicine, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
  • 5Department of Internal Medicine, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea
  • 6Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea

Abstract

Background/Aims
The risk factors for the development of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors associated with PBC in Korea through a questionnaire survey.
Methods
Consecutively enrolled 103 PBC patients from six referral hospitals and 100 age- and sex-matched community controls participated in this study. A standardized questionnaire survey including demographics, lifestyle, individual and familial medical history and reproductive history was prospectively collected and analyzed.
Results
The PBC patients had a mean age of 58.3 years and a female proportion of 86.4%. The age- and sex-matched controls had a similar educational level and economic status to the PBC patients. Among the lifestyle factors, the multivariable analysis showed smoking including both first-hand and second-hand (odds ratio [OR], 2.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06 to 3.93), history of autoimmune diseases (OR, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.06 to 6.35), and family history of PBC (OR, 17.76; 95% CI, 1.77 to 2,418.74) were significantly associated with PBC, whereas alcohol intake was negatively associated with PBC. Among reproductive factors, the number of induced abortions was significantly associated with PBC, while the number of full-term deliveries was negatively associated with PBC.
Conclusions
A family history of PBC, accompanying autoimmune diseases, and smoking were significantly associated with PBC. More induced abortions and less full-term deliveries were associated with PBC in women. In contrast, mild to moderate alcohol intake was negatively associated with PBC. Further studies are warranted to validate the results of this study and to search for clues about the pathogenesis of PBC.

Keyword

Liver cirrhosis, biliary; Risk factors; Smoking; Ethanol; Abortion, induced
Full Text Links
  • KJIM
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr