Chronic active hepatitis in the elderly.
Five patients with autoimmune chronic active hepatitis were diagnosed for the first time over the age of 70 years. They tolerated diagnostic and follow-up liver biopsies well and made gratifying responses to conventional immunosuppressive therapy when indicated. Autoimmune chronic active hepatitis certainly occurs in the elderly and management should be similar to younger patients. We see no reason to withhold immunosuppressive agents.
D000368:Aged; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use
D011239:Prednisolone; D001379:Azathioprine