A rare association of primary biliary cirrhosis and pernicious anemia

J Gastroenterol. 2002;37(7):560-3. doi: 10.1007/s005350200087.

Abstract

Primary biliary cirrhosis is often associated with autoimmune diseases. However, an association between primary biliary cirrhosis and pernicious anemia has rarely been reported. We report a patient with primary biliary cirrhosis associated with pernicious anemia and autoimmune gastritis. The patient was a 64-year-old Japanese woman who had been diagnosed as having primary biliary cirrhosis 5 years previously. She was readmitted with jaundice and macrocytic anemia. The diagnosis of pernicious anemia was confirmed by the low level of serum vitamin B12 and the presence of anti-parietal cell antibody and anti-intrinsic factor antibody. Pernicious anemia should be regarded as a possible complication of primary biliary cirrhosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Pernicious / complications*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / complications
  • Female
  • Gastritis / complications
  • Humans
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / complications*
  • Middle Aged
  • Stomach / pathology