AUTOIMMUNE HEPATITIS: A Study of Clinical, Therapeutic, and Prognostic Aspects

Autoimmune hepatitis is a rare but potentially serious chronic liver disease that can sometimes be difficult to diagnose. The objectives of this study were to describe the clinical, laboratory, histological, and clinical course characteristics of patients with autoimmune hepatitis. We conducted a single-center, retrospective, descriptive study spanning an 11-year period that included all patients followed for AAH. Twenty-four patients were included, with a mean age of 50.2 years and a female-to-male ratio of 3:1. HAI was symptomatic in 71% of cases, with asthenia (46%) and the edematous-ascitic syndrome (42%) being the predominant symptoms. Acute hepatitis was the presenting feature in one-third of cases (33%). Cirrhosis was present at diagnosis in 58% of patients. Corticosteroid-azathioprine therapy was initiated in 18 patients, with a complete biochemical response in 78% of cases. Initial non-response to treatment was associated with advanced fibrosis (p=0.01), decompensated cirrhosis at presentation (p=0.04), and elevated total bilirubin levels (p=0.05).