Management of Fatigue in Primary Biliary Cholangitis

AbstractPurpose of ReviewFatigue in primary biliary cholangitis patients is a frequently encountered and often debilitating symptom. With no currently approved drug therapies available to target fatigue as a symptom, managing these patients can be very challenging in a day-to-day clinical practise. We have critically appraised currently available evidence on various pharmacological agents trialled in the management of fatigue in PBC.Recent FindingsMost recently, a randomised controlled trial from Newcastle group using Rituximab in high fatigue patients has shown equivocal results for the improvement of fatigue, with a significant placebo effect. The data suggest that the general use of Rituximab for the treatment of fatigue in PBC is not supported; however, there was evidence suggesting improvement of muscle metabolic dysfunction linked to peripheral fatigue, and it may be that the agent has value in a carefully selected subgroup of patients with, in particular, peripheral fatigue. Further work is needed in this area. In addition, there are several non-pharmacological interventions which are available and can be considered in management of fatigue in PBC patients.SummaryA combination of non-pharmacological and currently non-licenced pharmacological therapies may be required in managing fatigue in PBC patients.
Source: Current Hepatitis Reports - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research