About Us

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The Intractable Hepato-Biliary Diseases Study Group in Japan study covers the following eight diseases of the liver and biliary tract: autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC; known as primary biliary cirrhosis until its name was changed in 2016), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), fulminant hepatitis, intrahepatic calculosis (stones within the liver), Budd-Chiari syndrome, idiopathic portal hypertension, and extrahepatic portal vein obstruction. Since many of these diseases are relatively rare, their causes remain unknown, and they are impossible to cure. Moreover, treatment and recuperation require an extended period. They are therefore referred to as "intractable diseases."

In addition to conducting research as part of our study group, the members also perform medical treatment at the hospitals where they work. However, in many cases, people who have intractable diseases of the liver and biliary tract and their family members cannot obtain enough accurate information about these diseases. Now that the internet has become so easy to use, people's first inclination is to search the internet for the information about their disease that they want to know. However, the internet has such a wide variety of information that much of what is available is questionable, or, even in cases in which the information is correct, the explanations are insufficient. Incorrect and insufficiently explained information causes patients to worry unnecessarily. Furthermore, it can be challenging for patients to determine which information is correct and which information applies to their individual situation. This was our motivation to create this homepage.

This homepage was created for those who are living with intractable diseases of the liver and bile ducts. Thus, the homepage has been designed to provide people with basic information about intractable diseases of the liver and bile ducts that they may want to know in an easily understandable form. We will continue to update this homepage with easy-to-understand explanations of the latest information from studies conducted around the world. We have also listed information about lectures for the general public. We have also provided an email address that can be used to ask questions about anything you want to know about these diseases. A physician who specializes in your specific disease will respond to your inquiry.

We hope that this homepage can serve as a source of support for all living with intractable diseases of the liver and biliary tract.

March 1st, 2022
Tanaka Atsushi
Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Teikyo University School of Medicine
Principal Investigator, Intractable Hepato-Biliary Diseases Study Group in Japan