THE CONSTITUTIONAL HYPERBILITRUBINEMIA IN JAPAN STUDIES ON THE 139 CASES REPORTED DURING THE PERIOD FROM 1963 TO 1969

Abstract

Statistical observations were performed in 139 cases of constitutional hyperbilirubinemia which were reported during 7 years from 1963 to 1969 in Japan. Male was predominant in Dubin Johnson syndrome (Dubin-Johnson), but there was no difference with sex in Rotor’s type of hyperbilirubinemia (Rotor) and Gilbert’s disease (Gilbert). The age, at which jaundice first noticed, was distributed in the youngest among patient with Rotor, and age was young in Rotor, Gilbert and Dubin-Johnson as in order. The mean total bilirubin level in serum showed the highest value in Rotor and it showed higher in Dubin-Johnson than in Gilbert. Abnormal retention of BSP a 45 minutes wsa observed in 80% of Dubin-Johnson and in all cases of Rotor. The secondary rise of BSP in serum was observed in almost all cases of Dubin-Johnson during from 120 minutes to 180 minutes after an injection. Of other liver function tests there were no common changes. Of cholecystography one third of the cases in Dubin-Johnson demonstrated a visualized gallbladder both on oral and intravenous method, while in Rotor the positive rate increased on oral method more than on intravenous method. The black colored liver and the lipofuscin-like pigments in liver cells were observed in all patients of Dubin-Johnson, except patients with hepatic inflammatory changes. In Rotor and in Gilbert the pigments were observed in several patients.