(HealthDay)—The global prevalence of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) ranges from 0.96 percent in Crohn disease (CD) to 2.47 percent in ulcerative colitis (UC), according to a review published online Aug. 19 in Gastroenterology.

Brigida Barberio, M.D., from the University of Padova in Italy, and colleagues conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to assess the prevalence of PSC in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Based on 64 eligible studies (776,700 patients), the researchers found that the pooled prevalence of PSC in IBD was 2.16 percent, with the highest prevalence seen in South America and the lowest in Southeast Asia. Specifically, pooled prevalence in patients with UC, CD, and IBD-unclassified was 2.47, 0.96, and 5.01 percent, respectively. Pooled prevalence was significantly higher in UC versus CD (odds ratio, 1.69). Based on the method used to define the presence of PSC, the highest prevalence was 2.88 percent in studies performing both liver biochemistry and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography/magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, and it was lowest (1.79 percent) in studies using a clinical diagnosis. Generally, prevalence was higher in men and patients with more extensive (versus left-sided) UC or ileocolonic or colonic (versus ileal) CD.

"These data provide the first pooled estimates of the burden of this condition in IBD and can be used to inform future health care planning, as well as to underline the importance of its detection," write the authors. "Clinicians who care for patients with IBD must recognize and carefully screen for PSC, as an early appropriate diagnosis is imperative to prevent complications."

More information: Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Journal information: Gastroenterology 

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