Correlative analysis between UDCA and cardinal symptoms of IHCP: a randomized controlled study

Objective. The present study investigated the correlation between Ursodeoxycholic acid and the cardinal symptoms of IHCP. This study also investigated the dose-dependent effect of UDCA in reducing adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.
Materials and Methods. In this randomized controlled study, a comparative analysis of various treatment regimens was done by administering varied treatment medications to pregnant women having IHCP. Blood investigations, such as complete blood count and liver function tests, were done to evaluate the efficacy of UDCA. Moreover, maternal and fetal outcomes were assayed to determine the effective UDCA dose in treating IHCP.
Results. The prevalence of IHCP in our study was 9.7%. Out of 101 singleton pregnant women, 8 had mild IHCP, 32 had moderate and 61 had severe IHCP. A very highly significant difference in the serum bile acid levels (p <0.0001) as well as in the score of pruritus (p <0.0001) was observed in enrolled subjects who were treated with UDCA. Additionally, adverse maternal and fetal outcomes were significantly reduced in subjects receiving UDCA treatment.
Conclusions. This study demonstrated that UDCA significantly improved the patient’s subjective and clinical state, reduced laboratory markers, such as elevated SGOT, SGPT, and bile acid levels as well as improved feto-maternal outcomes. It also concluded that a 300 mg BD dose of UDCA is the most effective dose in reducing bile acid levels and in treating IHCP.