Autoimmune hepato-biliary causes Flashcards
In which patient group is autoimmune hepatitis more commonly seen?
young females
What are 3 recognised associations of autoimmune hepatitis?
- Autoimmune disorders
- Hypergammaglobulinaemia
- HLA B8 DR3
What can autoimmune hepatitis be based upon?
types of circulating antibodies present
What are the 3 types of autoimmune hepatitis and the associated circulating antibodies?
- Type I: anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and/or anti-smooth muscle antibodies (SMA)
- Type II: anti-liver/kidney microsomal type 1 antibodies (LKM1)
- Type III: soluble liver-kidney antigen
Which age groups does type I autoimmune hepatitis (ANA and SMA) commonly affect?
both adults and children
Which age group does type II autoimmune hepatitis (anti-LKM1) commonly affect?
affects children only
Which age group does type III autoimmune hepatitis (liver-kidney antigen) most commonly affect?
adults in middle-age
What are 8 clinical features of autoimmune hepatitis?
- Jaundice, fever (acute hepatitis signs)
- Signs of chronic liver disease
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetitie
- Hepatomegaly
- Splenomegaly
- Abdominal pain
- Amenorrhoea (common)
What are 4 key investigations for autoimmune hepatitis and what will they show?
- Deranged LFTs: ALT and bilirubin raised, normal/mildly raised ALP
- ANA/SMA/LKM1 antibodies
- IgG predominant hypergammaglobulinaemia
- Liver biopsy: inflammation extending beyond limiting plate (piecemeal necrosis), bridging necrosis
Which is the commonest type of autoimmune hepatitis?
Type 1
What proportion of patients with autoimmune hepatitis Type I will have raised anti-SMA vs raised ANA?
80% anti-SMA, 10% ANA
What are 3 aspects of the management of autoimmune hepatitis?
- Steroids
- Other immunosuppressants e.g. azathioprine
- Liver transplantation
In which patient group is primary biliary cholangitis most commonly seen?
middle-aged females
What is the gender ratio affected by primary biliary cholangitis?
F:M 9:1
What is the pathophysioloy of primary biliary cholangitis?
interlobular bile ducts become damaged by a chronic inflammatory process, leads to scarring, causing progressive cholestasis which may eventually progress to cirrhosis
What can primary biliary cholangitis progress to?
cirrhosis (previously called primary biliary cirrhosis)