Primary biliary cirrhosis: time to replace a misnomer.

We read with interest the recent letter to the editor entitled “Primary Biliary Cirrhosis: Time to Replace a Misnomer” published by Wahl et al. We congratulate the authors for their study based on interviewing new patients and opening again the debate for the name of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). The authors concluded that it is time to replace this misnomer with an adequate name for the disease. We agree with the authors’ conclusion. PBC is now diagnosed at an early stage and the majority of patients will never develop cirrhosis. Although we agree with this, the acronym “PBC” is now used since it was first so called in 1965 by Rubin et al. Recently a Monothematic Conference on Primary Biliary Cirrhosis was held in Milan and a beautiful presentation was made by two patient associations. The debate confirmed the results presented by Wahl et al. However, a message has been clearly expressed: “Call it how you want, but please leave the acronym PBC.” We would like to draw attention to the importance of the PBC acronym for the scientific community, physician, and patients. Yes, it is time to modify the term “cirrhosis” in PBC.