Journal
WORLD JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
Volume 14, Issue 6, Pages 1111-1119Publisher
BAISHIDENG PUBLISHING GROUP INC
DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v14.i6.1111
Keywords
Fatigue; Primary biliary cholangitis; Treatment; Pathophysiology; Central fatigue; Peripheral fatigue
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Fatigue is a common and debilitating symptom in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), affecting over 50% of PBC patients. It consists of central and peripheral components, with unresolved pathophysiology. Central fatigue is characterized by a lack of self-motivation, while peripheral fatigue involves neuromuscular dysfunction and muscle weakness.
Fatigue is considered one of the most frequent and debilitating symptoms in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), affecting over 50% of PBC patients. One in five patients with PBC suffer from severe fatigue, which significantly impairs quality of life. Fatigue is made up of a central and a peripheral component, whose pathophysiology is still greatly unresolved. Central fatigue is characterised by a lack of self-motivation and can manifest both in physical and mental activities (lack of intention). Peripheral fatigue includes neuromuscular dysfunction and muscle weakness (lack of ability). Peripheral fatigue could be explained by an excessive deviation from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism leading to excessive lactic acid accumulation and therefore accelerated decline in muscle function and prolonged recovery time. As opposed to itching, and with the exception of end-stage liver disease, fatigue is not related to disease progression. The objective of this review is to outline current understanding regarding the pathophysiology of fatigue, the role of comorbidities and contributing factors, the main tools for fatigue assessment, the failed therapeutic options, and future treatment perspectives for this disabling symptom. Since fatigue is an extremely common and debilitating symptom and there is still no licensed therapy for fatigue in PBC patients, further research is warranted to understand its causative mechanisms and to find an effective treatment.(c) The Author(s) 2022. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
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