Clinical characteristics of dyslipidemia in patients with primary biliary cholangitis: a single-center experience in China.

Aims: Dyslipidemia is frequently observed among individuals diagnosed with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), though its specific characteristics remain incompletely defined. This study aimed to examine the lipid profile patterns and medical features of dyslipidemia in people suffering from PBC.

Methods: Following the classification criteria proposed by the National Lipid Association, dyslipidemia is classified on the basis of abnormal plasma concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Clinically, it is categorized into simple high TC, simple high TG, mixed hyperlipidemia, simple HDL-C decrease, and simple high LDL-C. In total, 257 individuals diagnosed with PBC who had dyslipidemia were enrolled in the study, along with 78 age- and sex- matched patients with simple dyslipidemia as the comparison group.

Results: In contrast to the control group, patients with PBC exhibited markedly increased concentrations of HDL-C, TC, and TG, while LDL-C levels were somewhat reduced. Analysis revealed that HDL-C, TC, and LDL-C levels were positively correlated with liver enzyme levels, whereas TG levels showed a negative correlation with bilirubin levels. In terms of clinical classification, patients with PBC had higher rates of simple TC increase and mixed hyperlipidemia, but a lower proportion had isolated LDL-C increase compared with controls. Patients with PBC who had simple high TC and mixed hyperlipidemia showed higher liver enzyme levels than those with simple high TG, while clinical symptoms were similar across groups.

Conclusion: Dyslipidemia in PBC exhibits unique characteristics, indicating a distinct pathogenesis compared to conventional dyslipidemia. These findings highlight the potential benefit of proactive lipid management in supporting liver function. Key Points • Compared with patients who have simple dyslipidemia, dyslipidemia in patients with PBC has distinct characteristics. • Dyslipidemia is clinically associated with liver damage, and correlation analysis showed a relationship between blood lipid levels and liver function.