Clinical evaluation of drug-induced hepatitis.
OBJECTIVE
To ascertain the epidemiological characteristics, clinical symptoms, and evolution of drug-induced hepatitis over the last 22 years. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: An observational, retrospective study between 1982 and 1993, and prospective study between 1994 and 2003. All patients in our department diagnosed with having drug-induced hepatitis were studied analyzing epidemiological (age, sex, cases per year, hospitalization) and clinical features (previous liver disease, hepatic symptoms, laboratory results), and follow-up (complete recovery or chronicity).


RESULTS
A total of 61 patients were diagnosed as having drug-induced hepatitis, 26 men and 35 women (57%), mean age 52.4 years +/- 17 years, of which 72.2% were older than 40 years. A total of 43% were admitted to hospital. In 87% of cases, two or more drugs were involved, the most frequent being antituberculosis (19 cases), psychotropic (26 cases), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (45 cases). Evolution showed that 94% of patients recovered after the withdrawal of suspected causal drugs.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of drug-induced hepatitis is higher in patients over 40 years of age, it being more common in females. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, psychotropic, and anti-tuberculosis agents were the main drugs involved. Most patients made a complete recovery after withdrawal of the suspected causal drug.
Service of Hepatology, Hospital Clínico Universiratio, Department of Medicine, Valencia, Spain.
L
L
Martí
J A
JA
Del Olmo
J
J
Tosca
E
E
Ornia
M L
ML
García-Torres
M A
MA
Serra
F
F
Rodríguez
P
P
Lluch
A
A
Escudero
J M
JM
Rodrigo
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology