Clinical heterogeneity in autoimmune acute liver failure

World J Gastroenterol. 2007 Mar 28;13(12):1824-7. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i12.1824.

Abstract

Aim: To describe the outcome and prognosis in a cohort of patients with acute liver failure due to autoimmune hepatitis without liver transplantation.

Methods: A retrospective trial was conducted in 11 patients with acute liver failure due to autoimmune hepatitis who attended the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutricion Salvador Zubiran. Demographic, biochemical and severity indexes, and treatment and outcome were assessed.

Results: Among the 11 patients, with a median age of 31 years, 72% had inflammatory response syndrome, and six patients received corticosteroids. The mortality rate within four weeks was 56%, and the one-year survival was 27%. In the survivors, severity indexes were lower and 83% received corticosteroids.

Conclusion: We observed a relatively high survival rate in patients with acute liver failure due to autoimmune hepatitis. This survival rate could be influenced by severity of the disease and/or use of corticosteroids.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune / complications*
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Liver Failure, Acute / diagnosis*
  • Liver Failure, Acute / immunology*
  • Liver Failure, Acute / mortality
  • Liver Transplantation
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Survival Rate
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones