title: [Autoimmune hepatitis].
abstract: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic, progressive disease of the liver characterized by hypergammaglobulinemia, circulating autoantibodies, and interface hepatitis on biopsy. AIH can occur in all age groups. It affects women more commonly than men (3:1). The spectrum of clinical manifestations is wide and ranges from asymptomatic disease to acute hepatitis or even acute liver failure. Corticosteroids are the drug of choice for induction of remission, azathioprine is the drug of choice for maintenance of remission. Rapid response to immunosuppressive treatment supports the diagnosis and leads to a good long-term prognosis. Therapy should be ideally continued for at least two to four years to minimize the risk of relapse.
authors: Fachbereich Gastroenterologie/Hepatologie, Kantonsspital St. Gallen.
authors: Michael Christian
authors: MC
authors: Sulz
authors: Tilman Jörn
authors: TJ
authors: Gerlach
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D001706:Biopsy; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D019693:Hepatitis, Autoimmune / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D017114:Liver Failure, Acute / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D001323:Autoantibodies; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents