Autoimmune hepatitis is a chronic disease in which the body's immune system attacks the liver and causes inflammation and liver damage
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Types of Autoimmune Hepatitis
There are two types of autoimmune hepatitis3
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- Type 1: This is the most common type in the United States, accounting for 96% of autoimmune hepatitis cases in adults and about 90% of cases in children. It is characterized by the presence of anti-smooth muscle antibodies (ASMA) with or without anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA).
- Type 2: This type is uncommon in the United States but more frequently described in Europe. It accounts for 9-12% of autoimmune hepatitis cases in US children, as opposed to 38% of cases in children in the United Kingdom. Type 2 autoimmune hepatitis presents with positive anti-liver/anti-kidney microsome (anti-LMK) type 1 antibodies or anti-liver cytosol (anti-LC) type 1 antibodies.
Symptoms
Symptoms of autoimmune hepatitis can range from mild to severe, and some people with autoimmune hepatitis have no symptoms10
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- Feeling tired
- Joint pain
- Nausea
- Poor appetite
- Pain over the liver, in the upper part of the abdomen
- Yellowish color of the whites of the eyes and skin, called jaundice
- Darkening of the color of urine
- Lightening of the color of stools
- Skin conditions, such as rash, psoriasis, vitiligo, or acne
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis is based on a combination of information from medical history, a physical exam, blood tests, imaging tests, and liver biopsy1
Treatment
Doctors treat autoimmune hepatitis with medicines that suppress the immune system, most often corticosteroids and immunosuppressants1
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Drugs Used to Treat Autoimmune Hepatitis
Some of the drugs used to treat autoimmune hepatitis include:- Prednisone
- Azathioprine
- Mycophenolate mofetil
- Tacrolimus
- Cyclosporine
Autoimmune Hepatitis and Liver Transplantation
In some cases, autoimmune hepatitis can lead to liver failure, and a liver transplant may be necessary1
Side Effects of Treating Autoimmune Hepatitis
The medicines used to treat autoimmune hepatitis may cause side effects, such as weight gain, mood changes, high blood pressure, and increased risk of infections1
Prognosis
With treatment, most people with autoimmune hepatitis can live normal lives10
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Living with Autoimmune Hepatitis
It is important to follow a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding alcohol and smoking12
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