I found out the year before [my PBC diagnosis] that my daughter was diagnosed with it.
—Diana, living with PBC
Risk factors
of PBC
Not a real patient.
We use the word “primary” in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) because it is a disease that can appear suddenly, and the exact cause is unknown.
- It is not caused by drinking alcohol
- It is not contagious, and it’s not your fault
- It may be inherited, and your risk is greater if you have a diagnosed family member
- It may be triggered by environmental factors, like cigarette smoke or certain chemicals
We’ve created a glossary of common terms to help you understand more about this disease.
Who is at risk for PBC?
Anyone can be diagnosed with PBC, but it is commonly diagnosed in:
Women 45 to 65 years old
But women as young as 22 years old and those in their early 90s have also been diagnosed
People with other autoimmune diseases
Up to 55% of people with PBC have at least 1 other autoimmune disease
PBC is considered a rare disease
In the US, a rare disease is one that affects fewer than 200,000 people. However, PBC is the most common chronic cholestatic liver disease in adult women.
1 in 1000 women
over 40 years old have PBC
You’re not alone in this journey
Get access to tools, resources, and other information, plus connect with other people living with PBC.
All participating parties, including patients, physicians, and experts, were compensated by Intercept Pharmaceuticals.