How common is PBC?
PBC is a rare liver condition. In England, it’s estimated that for every million people, two to 24 will develop PBC in any given year. The rates of PBC in England are much higher than in other parts of the world, but the reason for this is not known. PBC mainly affects women (about 90% of all cases) and it occurs mainly during middle age. The average age at which symptoms begin is 50, although new cases have been reported in people as young as 20 and as old as 90. The exact causes of PBC, and why it mainly affects women, are unknown. Prognosis PBC is a progressive condition, which means that the associated damage to the liver will get steadily worse over time. If it’s not treated, the liver can become damaged to such an extent that it no longer works (liver failure). This can be fatal (cause death). There is no cure for PBC, but there are medications that can help to relieve symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. In cases where there is extensive liver damage, a liver transp
