prevention
Scientists are not sure why the body’s immune system attacks the liver causing autoimmune hepatitis, but genetics and previous infections are thought to play a role in developing this condition. Many people with this autoimmune hepatitis also have other autoimmune diseases including type 1 diabetes, autoimmune thyroiditis, ulcerative colitis, or vitiligo.
diagnosis
Autoimmune hepatitis often occurs rapidly and unexpectedly. Your doctor may request blood tests to test if there are elevations of ALT and AST enzymes and a liver biopsy to confirm the diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis.
treatment
Some patients with very mild or inactive disease may not need any type of active treatment. The goal of treatment for autoimmune hepatitis is to stop the body from attacking the liver by limiting the immune system. Immune system suppression steroids such as prednisone and azathioprine are often used in collaboration to control autoimmune hepatitis. Patients often have to be on these steroids for many years or for life as this condition can be controlled but not cured. Some patients do not require any maintenance therapy and remain in remission with no symptoms and no active inflammation in the liver, for many years. Due to the variable intensity of the disease, even with maintenance treatment, patients may suffer from relapses of inflammation periodically.
The use of these immune system suppressants often cause significant side effects such as reduced resistance to infection, high blood pressure, diabetes, and glaucoma. Additional medications might be required to manage these conditions.
