Persistent fatigue can be easy to attribute to poor sleep, stress, work pressures or hormonal changes, particularly for women in midlife stages. However, results of a new survey released during PBC Awareness Month, happening now, is highlighting why ongoing or unexplained fatigue should not be dismissed.
Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic autoimmune liver disease estimated to affect around 5,000 Australians, with women accounting for 95 per cent of people living with the condition. This rare disease causes the small bile ducts in the liver to become inflamed and eventually blocked, leading to a build-up of bile that can cause liver damage. People living with PBC often experience persistent fatigue, as well as other symptoms like pruritus (itching), and dry eyes and mouth.
A new survey commissioned by Ipsen Australia found Australians are far more likely to associate persistent fatigue with everyday factors such as lack of sleep (69 per cent), stress (60 per cent) and work-life pressures (53 per cent) rather than with a liver condition (11 per cent).
Beyond tiredness
Professor Simone Strasser, Hepatologist at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Chair of the Liver Foundation’s Clinical and Scientific Committee, said the overlap between persistent fatigue and common midlife experiences can make ongoing symptoms easy to normalise.
‘Fatigue is more than regular tiredness, and it is associated with many conditions. It can have many causes, but when it persists or cannot be explained, it is important not to dismiss it as stress, poor sleep or simply being busy. Anyone concerned about persistent or unexplained changes in their health should speak with their doctor.’
The survey also reveals a significant awareness gap when it comes to PBC, with almost three-quarters of respondents having never heard of the condition. Of those who were aware of PBC (27 per cent), nearly half don’t know what it is.
Dr Rohit Gupta, Hepatologist at Sunshine Coast University Hospital and lead hepatologist at Australia’s only dedicated PBC clinic, said greater awareness of PBC and liver health is particularly important given it is a rare disease that can be treated.
‘PBC can be diagnosed by blood tests commonly available through GPs. It can be a serious condition, so its important that people keep track of their health, recognise when something has changed and feel confident raising those changes with their doctor.’
#EndGenderBias
The findings come amid broader national attention on women’s experiences of the Australian health system.
The Australian government’s #EndGenderBias survey found two-thirds of women who participated reported healthcare-related gender bias or discrimination, including experiences of feeling dismissed or disbelieved and having symptoms attributed to other causes.
Professor Strasser said PBC Awareness Month is an opportunity to put a lesser-known liver disease, such as PBC, and its disproportionate impact on women on the radar.
‘Greater awareness is not about encouraging self-diagnosis,’ she said. ‘It is about recognising that conditions like PBC, can take different forms and that persistent or unexplained changes in your health deserve a conversation.’
PBC Awareness Month takes place throughout September and aims to increase understanding of PBC and encourage greater recognition of this rare autoimmune liver disease.
To find out more about PBC and liver health, visit Liver Foundation Australia at https://liver.org.au/.
