[Autoimmune hepatitis]

Abstract

Autoimmune hepatitis (AH) is a chronic inflammatory immunodependent disease of the liver. Women are affected more frequently than men. The patients show clinical and morphological signs of chronic hepatitis, extrahepatic manifestations of immune disorders (autoimmune thyroiditis, non-specific ulcerative colitis, vitiligo, diabetes mellitus, etc.), readily respond to glucocorticoid therapy have elevated levels of ALA, gamma-globulins (especially IgG), serum ANA, SMA, LKM or SLA antibodies. Untreated AH promotes rapid development of liver cirrhosis with 90% 10-year lethality. AH is diagnosed by exclusion and is of primary importance for clinical practice. The treatment is based on the use of immunosuppressors as a rule prescribed in addition to steroid therapy. It results in complete remission and normal life expectancy in 80% of the cases.