Published in:
01-07-2017 | Original Article—Liver, Pancreas, and Biliary Tract
The 2016 diagnostic criteria for primary sclerosing cholangitis
Published in: Journal of Gastroenterology | Issue 7/2017
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Background
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease of unknown cause that is characterized pathologically by an inflammatory and fibrotic process centered on the epithelium, leading to diffuse biliary stenosis and increased wall thickness throughout the intra- and extra-hepatic biliary trees. A nationwide survey in Japan revealed several differences in the clinical aspects of PSC between Japan and Western countries. PSC was recently designated an intractable hepatobiliary disease in Japan. The aim of this study was to establish Japanese diagnostic criteria for PSC according to the current Japanese conditions.
Methods
The Intractable Hepato-Biliary Diseases Study Group in Japan of the Committee of Research on Measures for Intractable Diseases established a working group consisting of researchers specializing in PSC and proposed the 2016 Japanese diagnostic criteria for PSC.
Results
The diagnostic criteria consisted of the major and minor items. Major items are directly related to bile duct changes based on biliary tract imaging and an increased alkaline phosphatase level. Minor items consist of an association with inflammatory bowel disease and liver histology.
Conclusion
The diagnostic criteria for PSC are useful for general physicians in practice.