Primary sclerosing cholangitis history and symptoms

The majority of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis are asymptomatic and are only diagnosed following an abnormal liver function tests. However, those who are symptomatic often present with nonspecific symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, abdominal pain and/or diarrhea; as well as yellowish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes.

About 50% of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis are asymptomatic. These asymptomatic patients are often diagnosed after a panel of liver function tests (LFTs) have been ordered and results have been found to be abnormal. The most common abnormalities are elevated ALT, ALP and GGT. However, when patients are symptomatic, the most common presenting symptoms are:^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

• Abdominal pain, mainly in the right upper quadrant (RUQ)
• Itching (pruritis)
• Fatigue
• Yellowish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes (jaundice)
• Diarrhea
• Feeling of hotness or documented elevation of temperature (fever)
• Weight loss

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