Serologic markers do not predict histologic severity or response to treatment in patients with autoimmune hepatitis.
Publication/Presentation Date
1-1-2009
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is characterized by the presence of circulating autoantibodies, hypergammaglobulinemia, necroinflammatory histology, and a response to immunosuppressive drugs. The goal of this retrospective study was to determine whether the presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) or anti-smooth muscle antibodies (ASMAs) in patients with AIH correlated with clinical presentation, histologic findings, or response to immunosuppressive therapy.
METHODS: Fifty-two patients diagnosed with AIH, on the basis of the revised scoring system of International Autoimmune Hepatitis group, were reviewed. Data on age, gender, aminotransferase levels, autoantibody titers, treatment regimens, and response to treatment were recorded. Seropositivity was defined as ANA >1:40 or ASMA >1:40. Percutaneous liver biopsies obtained at the initial presentation were reviewed.
RESULTS: Forty-two patients with AIH (81%) were seropositive, and 10 (19%) were seronegative. Both groups were similar with respect to demographics, treatment regimens, and response to therapy. Histologic parameters were similar among the 2 groups, including portal and lobular inflammation, piecemeal necrosis, and centrilobular necrosis. There were no significant differences in aminotransferase levels at diagnosis or after treatment.
CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of ANAs or ASMAs did not correlate with the clinical or histologic severity of AIH at diagnosis. Furthermore, there was no correlation between antibody status and response to immunosuppressive therapy. Therefore, patients who meet the diagnosis of AIH on the basis of the revised scoring system of International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group should be given immunosuppressive therapy, regardless of antibody status.
Volume
7
Issue
1
First Page
98
Last Page
103
ISSN
1542-7714
Published In/Presented At
Mehendiratta, V., Mitroo, P., Bombonati, A., Navarro, V. J., Rossi, S., Rubin, R., & Herrine, S. K. (2009). Serologic markers do not predict histologic severity or response to treatment in patients with autoimmune hepatitis. Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association, 7(1), 98–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cgh.2008.08.043
Disciplines
Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
PubMedID
18955163
Department(s)
Administration and Leadership
Document Type
Article