title: Clinical characteristics and response to therapy of autoimmune hepatitis in an urban Latino population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We hypothesized that AIH outcomes might be different in our patient population that consists of a large number of Latinos.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Literature has suggested that the presentation and outcome of autoimmune hepatitis can be different among different ethnicity and communities.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective chart review of Latino patients with AIH diagnosed between 2002-2012. Complete and partial remissions were defined as normalization of liver enzyme values, or achieving less than twice the upper limit normal (ULN), respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 28 patients were identified. 26 (93%) were female. 13 (46%) had an acute presentation, one with type 2 AIH and 3 with ANA seronegative disease. The average pathologic stage (Ishak score) was 3.44±1.67 (range: 0-6). Complete and partial remission was achieved in 20 (71%) and 5 (18%) patients respectively. Ten patients (38%) required maintenance prednisone either alone (2), or in combination with Azathioprine (6) or Mycophenolate Mofetil (2). Remission in the majority of patients, including 14 (50%) who were cirrhotic. Six of 14 (43%) cirrhotic patients were asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In an urban Latino population, cirrhosis was the initial presentation of AIH in a significant percentage of patients raising concerns regarding insufficient screening for AIH in this patient population. A large number of patients required continuous prednisone to avoid relapse.
authors.affiliation: Montefiore Medical Center, USA.
authors.forename: Ayesha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zahiruddin
authors.affiliation: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: Abtin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Farahmand
authors.affiliation: Montefiore Medical Center, USA.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gaglio
authors.affiliation: New York Associates in Gastroenterology and Montefiore Medical Center, USA.
authors.forename: Hatef
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Massoumi
keywords: AIH; Autoimmune hepatitis; Hispanic patients