[Autoimmune hepatitis]

Ther Umsch. 2011 Apr;68(4):189-94. doi: 10.1024/0040-5930/a000149.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic, progressive disease of the liver characterized by hypergammaglobulinemia, circulating autoantibodies, and interface hepatitis on biopsy. AIH can occur in all age groups. It affects women more commonly than men (3:1). The spectrum of clinical manifestations is wide and ranges from asymptomatic disease to acute hepatitis or even acute liver failure. Corticosteroids are the drug of choice for induction of remission, azathioprine is the drug of choice for maintenance of remission. Rapid response to immunosuppressive treatment supports the diagnosis and leads to a good long-term prognosis. Therapy should be ideally continued for at least two to four years to minimize the risk of relapse.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Adult
  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • Biopsy
  • Child
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune / diagnosis*
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune / drug therapy
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune / immunology
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Liver / immunology
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Failure, Acute / diagnosis
  • Liver Failure, Acute / drug therapy
  • Liver Failure, Acute / epidemiology
  • Liver Failure, Acute / pathology
  • Liver Function Tests
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Recurrence
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Autoantibodies
  • Immunosuppressive Agents