Autoimmune hepatitis (patient information)
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Autoimmune hepatitis |
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Autoimmune hepatitis On the Web |
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For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];
Overview
Autoimmune hepatitis is inflammation of the liver that occurs when immune cells mistake the liver's normal cells for harmful invaders and attack them.
What are the symptoms?
- Abdominal distention
- Dark urine
- Fatigue
- General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise)
- Itching
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea or vomiting
- Pale or clay-colored stools
Other symptoms that may occur with this disease include absence of menstruation (amenorrhea).
What are the causes?
In patients who have an autoimmune disease, the immune system can't tell the difference between healthy body tissue and harmful, outside substances. The result is an immune response that destroys normal body tissues.
Liver inflammation, or hepatitis may occur along with other autoimmune diseases, including:
- Graves disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Scleroderma
- Sjogren syndrome
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Thyroiditis
- Type 1 diabetes
- Ulcerative colitis
Autoimmune hepatitis sometimes occurs in relatives of people with autoimmune diseases, which suggests that there is a genetic cause.
This disease is most common in young girls and women.
Diagnosis
- Abnormal liver function tests
- Liver biopsy showing chronic hepatitis
Tests for autoimmune hepatitis:
- Anti-liver kidney microsome type 1 antibody (anti LKM-1)
- Anti-nuclear antibody (ANA)
- Anti-smooth muscle antibody (SMA)
- Serum IgG
Treatment options
Prednisone or other corticosteroid medications help reduce the inflammation. Azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine are drugs used to treat other autoimmune disorders. They have been shown to help patients with autoimmune hepatitis, as well.
Some patients may receive a liver transplant.
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
The outcome varies. Corticosteroid therapy may slow the disease progression. However, autoimmune hepatitis may worsen to cirrhosis and require a liver transplant.