Features associated with treatment failure in type 1 autoimmune hepatitis and predictive value of the model of end-stage liver disease.
Autoimmune hepatitis may fail to respond to corticosteroid therapy, but the frequency and bases for this outcome are uncertain. We aimed to determine the frequency and nature of treatment failure in patients with type 1 autoimmune hepatitis, define features associated with its occurrence, and assess if the model for end-stage liver disease can predict this outcome. Patients failing conventional corticosteroid regimens were compared to patients who responded to similar regimens. Fourteen of 214 patients (7%) failed corticosteroid treatment. Patients who failed therapy were younger (33 +/- 3 years versus 48 +/- 1 years, P = 0.0008), had higher serum levels of bilirubin at accession (4.1 +/- 0.9 mg/dL versus 2.3 +/- 0.2 mg/dL, P = 0.02), presented acutely more frequently (43% versus 14%, P = 0.01), and had a higher frequency of HLA (human leukocyte antigen) DRB1*03 (93% versus 53%, P = 0.004) than did patients who achieved remission. An alternative disease (fatty liver disease) emerged in only 1 patient who failed therapy (7%). Scores determined by the model of end-stage liver disease at presentation of patients who failed treatment were higher than those of who achieved remission (16 +/- 1 versus 10 +/- 0.3 points, P < 0.0001), and score greater than 12 points had greater sensitivity (97%) and specificity (68%) for treatment failure than did HLA DRB1*03 or other features.


CONCLUSIONS
Onset at an early age, acute presentation, hyperbilirubinemia, and presence of HLA DRB1*03 characterize patients who fail corticosteroid treatment. The model for end-stage liver disease may be a useful instrument for identifying patients prone to this outcome.
Montano-Loza
Aldo J
AJ
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Carpenter
Herschel A
HA
Czaja
Albert J
AJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D019693:Hepatitis, Autoimmune / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D001663:Bilirubin