Evaluation of hepatic toxicity in autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) and Evans syndrome patients: a single-center Egyptian study

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Benign auto-immune illnesses include Evans syndrome (ES) and auto-immune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). Despite being benign in nature, the patients’ livers are burdened by the disease’s chronicity and the accompanying problems beyond the course of treatment. An additional burden stems from HCV infection, of which a significant proportion of Egyptians are positive. The purpose of this study was to identify the hepatotoxicity risks and the variables that influence the prognosis and survival of patients with AIHA/ES. There are 126 AIHA patients in this observational study, which is retrospective. From June 2009 to March 2021, patients visited the Haematology Unit of the Oncology Centre in Egypt. One hundred and sixteen patients have available data. Results There was no significant difference between primary and secondary AIHA groups as regards baseline hemoglobin (Hb), bilirubin, LDH, or reticulocyte count. Thirty-four patients (29.31%) had HCV-positive tests and 1 patient (0.9%) had HBV. There was no difference between HCV-positive and negative cases as regards mean Hb concentration, mean platelet, or immune markers (P > 0.05). AIHA patients with HCV-positive showed a significantly higher relapse rate (56%) than HCV-negative patients (32%) (P = 0.034). HCV positivity and low platelet counts at diagnosis were poor predictors for overall survival (OS) (P 0.022 and 0.04, respectively). Median OS was significantly better in patients with no viral hepatitis infection (1101 days, 95% CI 592–2068) than in patients with positive HCV infection (521, 95% CI 326–1325) (P = 0.019). Conclusions Azathioprine is the least hepatotoxic in AIHA patients under treatment. Viral hepatitis represents a superadded damage to the liver besides AIHA concerning clinical characteristics and outcomes.