Routine checks in PSC (Dr James Ferguson)
PSC is a complex condition and ideally, your care should be managed by someone with an interest in and experience of PSC. While there is no curative treatment, your doctor can monitor your condition and help manage your symptoms using current clinical practice guidelines for cholestatic liver diseases.
Because of the serious nature of the complications of PSC, you should remain under lifelong follow up with your PSC doctor (BSG/UK-PSC Guidelines Recommendation 4 58).
If you start to get more symptoms and your PSC is evolving or becoming complex, you should be referred for expert multi-disciplinary assessment. Patients with early, stable disease can be managed in general clinics (BSG/UK-PSC Guidelines Recommendation 16 58).
Your doctor will also discuss with you how he or she will manage your routine PSC healthcare and together you will form a PSC care plan and communicate this to your GP. Your GP should not be expected to know everything about PSC, and therefore it is helpful when your Hepatology/Gastroenterology consultant shares a clear picture of how you will be monitored and what role your GP will play.
Your PSC doctor will also give you information about what to do about concerns and how to contact the clinic.
Routine Care and Monitoring
Once PSC is diagnosed, your doctor will discuss with you and assess the following:
Cancer risk
Osteoporosis assessment (bone density)
Symptoms (such as itch, pain and fatigue)
Malabsorption of fat-soluble vitamins (in the case of more advanced PSC)
IBD screening
Clinical trials eligibility
Liver and bile ducts (extent of damage)
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