Autoimmune hepatitis Flashcards
How is autoimmune hepatitis diagnosed
The presence of a constellation of clinical, laboratory and pathological features
What does autoimmune hepatitis usually respond to
Corticosteroid treatment,
What is common when steroids therapy is stopped
Relapses
What is the cause of autoimmune hepatitis
Unknown
Who is most commonly affected by autoimmune hepatitis
Young women but anybody can be affected
When is it common for AIH to recur or develop
After liver transplantation
What are the clinical features of AIH
May mimic acute viral or toxic hepatitis
Fatigue
amenorrhoea and those associated with an accompanying rheumatological disorder sucha s arthritis or thyroid disease
What are the physical findings of AIH
Jaundice
spider naevi
palmar erythema
hepatosplenomegaly
What are some of the investigations for AIH
Blood testing: Autoantibodies are the hallmark: anitnuclear factor and smooth-muscle antibodies
What can be useful in monitoring respone to treatment
Serum Ig levels
Why is liver biopsy essential
For both diagnosis and assessing the severity and to exclud other liver disease
What is the management of AIH
High dose corticosteroids (prednisolone for 4-6 weeks then tapered to a maintenance level
Keep liver enzymes in normal ranges
Azathioprine is added for its steroid sparing effect
Other immunosuppresives including tacrolimus
Liver transplantation
