No abstract

A randomised placebo controlled study was performed in 32 women with intrdhepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. The population was divided into four groups: for 20 days each group was treated only with ursodeoxycholic acid, or S-adenosylmethionine, or a combination of both drugs, or a placebo (vitamin). Itching, standard liver function tests and serum total bile acids were measured before, during, and after treatment. Itching improved in all the women as well as the biochemical abnormalities. No side-effects in the mother or in the infant were recorded during and after therapy. A combination of ursodeoxycholic acid and S-adenosylmethionine is more effective than placebo and than either drug alone.

Although the number of patients in this study was very small, we suggest that UDCA treatment has a role in improving clinical and biochemical results in ICP.

No abstract