Ursodeoxycholic acid for liver disease related to cystic fibrosis

Problems of bile composition and flow cause liver disease for up to 20% of young people with cystic fibrosis. Ursodeoxycholic acid is a naturally occurring bile acid given to try and prevent liver disease in cystic fibrosis. We searched for trials of this treatment which lasted for at least three months. We were able to include three trials with 118 participants. The complex design of two trials meant data could not be analysed for all the participants. There were no significant differences in any of the outcomes measured. Only one trial measured long-term outcomes such as the need for liver transplant or death. The results were not published per treatment group, only for all participants combined, so we can not draw any firm conclusions from the data. The review did not find enough evidence from trials about the effects of using ursodeoxycholic acid. Current research shows that adverse effects are rare, but there are not enough data about long-term use. As there is no other preventive treatment, more research on ursodeoxycholic acid is needed.