Aim This meta-analysis was conducted to provide more precise evidence for association between primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and smoking and some other factors.Methods We searched the databases PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library and China National Knowledge Infrastructure up to Dec 31, 2010.Data were extracted by two persons independently.Homogeneity of effects across studies was assessed using the x2 statistic and quantified by I2.Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated based on fixed-or random-effect models.The publication bias was analyzed by Egger and Begg tests.Results A total of five studies were selected according to inclusion criteria.With the fixed-effect model, the pooled ORs for PBC and smoking and family history of PBC were 1.67(95%CI,1.41-1.92) and 7.56(95%CI,1.90-13.22).With the random-effect model, the pooled ORs for thyroid disease and urinary tract infection(UTI) were 3.08(95% CI, 0.84-5.32) and 2.02(95% CI, l.40-2.65),respectively.No evidence of publication bias was observed by means of Begg and Egger tests for the factors.Conclusions This meta-analysis suggested that smoking, family history of PBC and UTI were strongly associated with PBC in white population by systematical review of 5 existing studies, and the association remains to be validated in other population.