Asymptomatic primary biliary cirrhosis.

Ten asymptomatic patients with biochemical, immunologic, and histologic features of primary biliary cirrhosis are described. Their liver disease was first suggested by an elevated alkaline phosphatase level upon routine biochemical screening tests. Increasing awareness of this disease has led to its increased detection in asymptomatic patients. It is this group of asymptomatic patients from whom we will learn more about the natural history of primary biliary cirrhosis.