SUMMARY Thrombocytopenia in cirrhotic patients is usually attributed to splenic pooling whereas in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura it is related to platelet bound immunoglobulin (PA-IgG). Since primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is an autoimmune disorder we have undertaken a prospective study to assess the frequency and possible relationship of PA-IgG to thrombocytopenia in this condition. Sixty two primary biliary cirrhosis patients (28 precirrhotic; 34 cirrhotic) were studied. Twenty five patients (40%) had raised PA-IgG of whom 18 had cirrhosis. There was a significant inverse correlation between platelet count and PA-IgG (p
impair mineralisation may limit the hypocalcaemic effect. The ease with which diphosphonates may be used and the absence of appreciable side effects4 make this an attractive treatment not only for immobilisation hypercalcaemia but also for the more commonly observed hypercalciuria and bone loss.We thank Gentili for the clodronate used in these patients.
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