Learn About Autoimmune Hepatitis

View Main Condition: Hepatitis

What is the definition of Autoimmune Hepatitis?

Autoimmune hepatitis causes inflammation of the liver. It occurs when immune cells mistake the liver's normal cells for harmful invaders and attack them.

What are the alternative names for Autoimmune Hepatitis?

Lupoid hepatitis; Chronic active hepatitis

What are the causes of Autoimmune Hepatitis?

This form of hepatitis is an autoimmune disease. The body's immune system cannot tell the difference between healthy body tissue and harmful, outside substances. The result is an immune response that destroys normal body tissues.

Liver inflammation, or hepatitis, may occur along with other autoimmune diseases. These include:

  • Graves disease
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Scleroderma
  • Sjögren syndrome
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus
  • Thyroiditis
  • Type 1 diabetes
  • Ulcerative colitis

Autoimmune hepatitis may occur in family members of people with autoimmune diseases. There may be a genetic cause.

This disease is most common in young girls and women.

What are the symptoms of Autoimmune Hepatitis?

Symptoms may include:

  • Fatigue
  • General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise)
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Joint pain
  • Pale or clay-colored stools
  • Dark urine
  • Abdominal distention

Absence of menstruation (amenorrhea) may also be a symptom.

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What are the current treatments for Autoimmune Hepatitis?

You may need prednisone or other corticosteroid medicines to help reduce the inflammation. Azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine are drugs used to treat other autoimmune disorders. They have also been shown to help people with autoimmune hepatitis.

Some people may need a liver transplant.

Who are the top Autoimmune Hepatitis Local Doctors?
Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine

St Lukes Clinic LLC

980 Burley Ave, 
Buhl, ID 
 183.4 mi
Accepting New Patients

Daryl Ficklin is an Internal Medicine provider in Buhl, Idaho. Dr. Ficklin and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Autoimmune Hepatitis. His top areas of expertise are Diabetic Neuropathy, Autoimmune Hepatitis, Cerebral Palsy, Colonoscopy, and Endoscopy. Dr. Ficklin is currently accepting new patients.

James F. Trotter
Gastroenterology | Hepatology | Transplant Surgery
Gastroenterology | Hepatology | Transplant Surgery

St Lukes Clinic-Treasure Valley LLC

608 W Hays St, 
Boise, ID 
 156.3 mi
Accepting New Patients

James Trotter is a Gastroenterologist and a Hepatologist in Boise, Idaho. Dr. Trotter and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Autoimmune Hepatitis. His top areas of expertise are Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), Hepatitis, Hepatitis C, Liver Transplant, and Kidney Transplant. Dr. Trotter is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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Gastroenterology
Gastroenterology

St Lukes Clinic - Wood River LLC

100 Hospital Dr, 
Ketchum, ID 
 107.9 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Seth Wheeler is a Gastroenterologist in Ketchum, Idaho. Dr. Wheeler and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Autoimmune Hepatitis. His top areas of expertise are Barrett Esophagus, Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, Turcot Syndrome, Gastrectomy, and Endoscopy. Dr. Wheeler is currently accepting new patients.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Autoimmune Hepatitis?

The outcome varies. Corticosteroid medicines may slow the progress of the disease. However, autoimmune hepatitis may advance to cirrhosis. This could require a liver transplant.

What are the possible complications of Autoimmune Hepatitis?

Complications may include:

  • Cirrhosis
  • Side effects from steroids and other medicines
  • Hepatocellular carcinoma
  • Liver failure
  • Bleeding from varices
  • Ascites
  • Hepatic encephalopathy
When should I contact a medical professional for Autoimmune Hepatitis?

Contact your health care provider if you notice symptoms of autoimmune hepatitis.

How do I prevent Autoimmune Hepatitis?

In most cases, autoimmune hepatitis cannot be prevented. Knowing the risk factors may help you detect and treat the disease early.

What are the latest Autoimmune Hepatitis Clinical Trials?
Registro Español de Enfermedades Hepáticas Colestásicas y Autoinmunes (ColHai)

Summary: The purpose of the registry is to know the status of primary biliary colgantis, autoimmune hepatitis, primary sclerosing cholagitis and genetic cholestatic diseases in Spain.

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Belimumab in the Management of Autoimmune Hepatitis: a Multi-centre, Open-label Trial of Add-on Belimumab Therapy to Standard of Care

Background: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a rare chronic and lifelong liver disease. Untreated, disease progresses to end-stage cirrhosis and the focus of therapy is with immunosuppression. Current therapies are limited, not targeted, and associated with side effects that patients report reduce quality of life. AIH is believed to arise as a consequence of genetic \& environmental risks. Disease is characteris...

What are the Latest Advances for Autoimmune Hepatitis?
Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: November 02, 2022
Published By: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Czaja AJ. Autoimmune hepatitis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 90.

Pawlotsky J-M. Chronic viral and autoimmune hepatitis. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 140.