Primary biliary cholangitis—cause or association with psoriasis: a case report

Abstract

Primary biliary cholangitis is a chronic progressive cholestatic granulomatous and destructive inflammatory lesion of small intralobular and septal bile ducts that primarily affects women. The exact etiology of this disease has not yet been elucidated; however, it is believed to be the result of a combination of environmental triggers in genetically predisposed individuals. It can manifest itself simultaneously with, before, or after the onset of psoriasis and other skin autoimmune diseases. Standard treatment is ursodeoxycholic acid. A 65-year-old patient presenting with elevated hepatic laboratory findings that had persisted for several years and normal abdominal ultrasound was additionally diagnosed with primary biliary cholangitis after 2 years on a biological drug for psoriasis. She did not have other symptoms except elevated liver tests. The skin showed a strong response to biological therapy and treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid prompted lowering of liver enzymes. The skin was clear all throughout the treatment. This article emphasizes the importance of additional diagnostic workups in patients with psoriasis and elevated hepatic laboratory findings.