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Alternative names Return to top
Lupoid hepatitisDefinition Return to top
Autoimmune hepatitis involves inflammation of the liver caused by rogue immune cells that mistake the liver's normal cells for a foreign tissue or pathogen (disease-causing agent).Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
A person with autoimmune hepatitis has autoantibodies circulating in the bloodstream that cause the immune system to attack the liver.
This disease is associated with other autoimmune diseases, including the following:
Autoimmune hepatitis sometimes occurs in relatives of people with autoimmune diseases, suggesting a genetic cause.
This disease is most common in young girls and women.
Symptoms Return to top
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease include amenorrhea (absence of menstruation).
Signs and tests Return to top
Tests associated with autoimmune hepatitis:
Treatment Return to top
Prednisone or other corticosteroids help reduce the inflammation. Azathioprine or mercaptopurine are drugs used to treat other autoimmune disorders, and they have benefitted patients with autoimmune hepatitis as well.
Modify your activity level according to your symptoms.
Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
The outcome varies. Corticosteroid therapy may slow the disease progression. However, autoimmune hepatitis may progress to cirrhosis and require liver transplant.
Complications Return to top
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call your health care provider if you notice symptoms of autoimmune hepatitis.
Prevention Return to top
Autoimmune hepatitis is usually not preventable. Awareness of risk factors may allow early detection and treatment.
Update Date: 7/16/2004 Updated by: Christian Stone, M.D., Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |