Characterisation of Patients With Primary Biliary Cholangitis in Austria - A Prospective Registry and Biobank
The goal of this registry is to better understand how primary biliary cholangitis develops over time, including the role of disease-related biomarkers, complications of the disease, and symptom burden. Patients with primary biliary cholangitis treated at participating centres in Austria will be invited to take part in this prospective registry. Participation in an associated biobank is optional. Clinical and laboratory data will be collected, and patients will be followed regularly through scheduled clinic visits. In addition, biological samples (serum, plasma, and, if available, liver tissue) may be collected and stored in the biobank for future research.
• Age \>18 years
• Confirmed diagnosis of primary biliary cholangitis (at least two of the following three criteria must be fulfilled: persistent elevation of alkaline phosphatase above the upper limit of normal for at least 6 months; presence of antimitochondrial antibodies or PBC-specific antinuclear antibodies; characteristic histopathology)
• Written informed consent for participation in the registry