General Characteristics of Our Patients Diagnosed with Autoimmune Hepatitis: Single Center Experience

Abstract

Objective:Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory liver disease characterized by elevated liver enzymes and serum immunoglobulin levels, often accompanied by high titers of autoantibodies, typical histopathological findings, and a diagnosis established upon the exclusion of other liver diseases. The etiology of AIH is not fully understood. Our aim was to investigate the general characteristics of our AIH patients, the treatments administered, and the responses to these treatments, and to compare these with the data available in the literature. Materials and Methods:Between 2010-2020, data from 62 patients diagnosed with AIH at our clinic were retrospectively reviewed. The study investigated the general characteristics at the time of diagnosis, laboratory values, autoantibody levels, the presence of additional autoimmune diseases, liver histology, treatment status and responses, as well as average follow-up and survival times. Results:Of the patients, 57 (91.9%) were female, with a female to male ratio of 11:1, and the average age of all patients was 34.76±14.9 years. The average follow-up duration was 34.7±23.4 months, the average survival time was 105 months, and the 5-year survival rate was determined to be 92%. At the time of diagnosis, a more than tenfold increase in aminotransferase levels and acute hepatitis were statistically significantly higher in females (p<0.05). While there was a statistically significant relationship between the average time to remission and aminotransferase levels (p<0.05), no significant relationship was found between the development of relapse (p>0.05). A statistically significant conversion was observed between patients with definite and probable diagnoses before and after treatment (p<0.05). Conclusion:AIH should always be considered in patients with acute and chronic liver disease, hypergammaglobulinemia, and especially those with other autoimmune diseases, as AIH presents with various clinical, laboratory, and histological features. It is important to remember that AIH responds well to treatment and patients can be maintained in remission for extended periods with appropriate therapy.