What is the cause of primary sclerosing cholangitis

It is important to understand the cause of primary sclerosing cholangitis. For example, it is often closely related to ulcerative colitis because it is an autoimmune disease. Chronic or repeated entry of bacteria into the circulatory circulation may also induce these diseases.

1 The close relationship with ulcerative colitis (an autoimmune disease) suggests that primary sclerosing cholangitis may involve an autoimmune process;

2. Chronic or repeated bacterial entry into the portal circulation can induce inflammatory responses in the liver and bile ducts; accumulation of toxic bile acids caused by colonic bacterial or chronic viral infection can also lead to liver damage;

3 Ischemic damage to the bile duct may also occur. Immunologically mediated bile duct damage may be the main mechanism of the pathogenesis of primary sclerosing cholangitis. Overall, PSC is considered a multifactorial disease that may be triggered by environmental factors in individuals with a genetic background. Some scholars also believe that primary sclerosing cholangitis is a type of disease with similar clinical manifestations.

4. The treatment goals of primary sclerosing cholangitis are to slow down and reverse the disease progression and to deal with progressive diseases and their complications. There is currently no effective drug for the treatment of primary sclerosing cholangitis. Patients with significant bile duct stricture or cholangitis may consider receiving endoscopic treatment in an experienced endoscopy center. For patients who still have recurrent cholangitis after active treatment, long-term preventive antibiotics can be considered. Liver transplantation can be used as a treatment for end-stage liver disease in primary sclerosing cholangitis.