Serum IgG4 and long term outcome in patients with primary biliary cholangitis treated with ursodeoxycholic acid

Background and Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the potential influence of serum immunglobulin G4 (IgG4) on the long term outcome of patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) receiving ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). Methods: IgG4 levels were measured in sera of 229 patients with PBC prior to the initiation of treatment with UDCA. Endpoints were liver related death or orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Kaplan-Meier estimates were compared with expected survival of matched German controls. Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors for the endpoints.…