Clinical Features of Autoimmune Hepatitis in Korea

Hyun, Jae Geun; Paik, Seung Woon; Lee, Joon Hyoek; Koh, Kwang Cheol; Kim, Jee Eun; Choi, Moon Seok; Rhee, Poong Lyul; Kim, Jae Jun; Rhee, Jong Chul; Choi, Kyu Wan; Oh, Young Lyun; Park, Cheol Keun

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is common in western countries, only sporadic cases have been reported in Korea. The aims of the study were to analyze the clinical and histological features and to examine clinical course of AIH in Korea.
METHODS
One-hundred and ninety-seven patients with chronic liver disease of unknown etiology were screened with anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) and anti-smooth muscle antibody (SMA). Fourteen (7.1%) patients had either antibodies and only 11 (5.6%) of them met the criteria suggested by the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group as definite or probable. The clinical, laboratory and histologic features of these eleven cases were reviewed.
RESULTS
The mean age was 53.5 (31 ?73) years and all of the patient were female. The level of globulin and IgG were elevated in 63.6% and 75% of the patients respectively. ANA and SMA were positive in 54.5% and 72.7% of the patients, respectively. Eigh (72.7%) of the patients showed severe inflammation in liver biopsy. Among 8 patients who received immunosuppressive therapy, seven patients (87.5%) showed initial response, and biochemical and serologic remissions were achieved in 5 (62.5%) and 2 (25.0%) patients, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
AIH seems to be partly responsible for chronic liver disease of unknown etiology in Korea. AIH should be suspected in female patients with chronic liver disease of unknown etiology, especially in case of hypergammaglobulinemia.