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Fujiwara K, Fukuda Y, Sanada M, Koizumi S, Seza K, Saito M, Yokosuka O, Kato N. Analysis of autoimmune hepatitis with acute presentation in the early stage of illness. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 39:2120-2128. [PMID: 38860418 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.16657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM There is no gold standard for making the diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), and the diagnosis of acute onset AIH (A-AIH) is most challenging. A-AIH sometimes develops into acute liver failure with poor prognosis if the diagnosis is delayed. Therefore, it is most important for the better prognosis to diagnose non-severe A-AIH early and treat appropriately. However, features in the early stage of A-AIH are unclear. We examined initial characteristics of non-severe A-AIH in detail and tried to find novel clinical features for the early diagnosis. METHODS Clinical, biochemical, immunological, radiological, and histological features of 71 patients (54 women, mean age 57.9 ± 14.3 years) with non-severe A-AIH admitted to community hospitals between 2001 and 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULT Forty-six had no symptom on onset and liver injuries were discovered by regular medical checkups. The mean duration from onset to consultation was 25.0 ± 29.3 days. Liver histology showed acute hepatitis in 59% and chronic hepatitis in 41%. Patients with symptoms revealed more male sex (P = 0.039), higher alanine aminotransferase (P < 0.001), higher total bilirubin (P < 0.001), and higher rate of histological acute hepatitis (P = 0.0013) than those without symptoms significantly. Male sex, presence of symptoms on onset, occurrence of jaundice in the course, and histological acute hepatitis were correlated. CONCLUSIONS Sixty-five percent of non-severe A-AIH patients were asymptomatic on onset, suggesting that A-AIH would develop insidiously and present a longer clinical course than that reported. Male patients more often revealed true acute hepatitis clinically, biochemically, and histologically than female ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiichi Fujiwara
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Fukuda
- Department of Gastroenterology, Seikeikai Chiba Medical Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Masahiko Sanada
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yusokai Saisei Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shuko Koizumi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Seikeikai Chiba Medical Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Katsushi Seza
- Department of Gastroenterology, Seikeikai Chiba Medical Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Masaya Saito
- Department of Gastroenterology, Seikeikai Chiba Medical Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Osamu Yokosuka
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Naoya Kato
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
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Fujiwara K, Fukuda Y, Seza K, Saito M, Koizumi S, Yokosuka O, Kato N. Analysis of non-severe acute onset autoimmune hepatitis according to the presence of radiological heterogeneity. Hepatol Res 2022; 52:804-810. [PMID: 35639341 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.13799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
AIM Diagnosis of acute onset autoimmune hepatitis (A-AIH) has been difficult in that patients may not have typical clinicopathological features of AIH. In our previous reports of severe and fulminant AIH, two-thirds of them showed radiological heterogeneity: hepatic heterogeneous hypoattenuation on unenhanced computed tomography (CT) reflecting heterogeneous distribution of massive hepatic necrosis (severe centrilobular necrosis), which would be beneficial for the diagnosis. In the present study, we analyzed non-severe A-AIH patients with or without radiological heterogeneity and tried to find novel clinical features for supporting the early diagnosis. METHODS Clinical, biochemical, immunological, radiological and histological features of 42 patients with non-severe A-AIH at community hospitals between 2010 and 2020 were analyzed. RESULTS Of 42, 28 patients on whom CT scans were performed and who could be fully analyzed were enrolled. Five patients showed hepatic heterogeneous hypoattenuation on unenhanced CT. There was no significant difference in clinical, biochemical, immunological and histological features at diagnosis between the two groups according to the presence of radiological heterogeneity, although mean minimum prothrombin time activity during the course was lower in patients with heterogeneity without statistical significance (p = 0.080). All responded to treatment well and achieved initial remission within 3 months. CONCLUSIONS It is possible that patients with non-severe A-AIH show radiological heterogeneity reflecting centrilobular necrosis which is one of important diagnostic features of A-AIH. Accordingly, radiological heterogeneity might be beneficial for the diagnosis of A-AIH in combination with conventional clinicopathological features if it is detected in the absence of features suggestive of other liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiichi Fujiwara
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Fukuda
- Department of Gastroenterology, Seikeikai Chiba Medical Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Katsushi Seza
- Department of Gastroenterology, Seikeikai Chiba Medical Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Masaya Saito
- Department of Gastroenterology, Seikeikai Chiba Medical Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shuko Koizumi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Seikeikai Chiba Medical Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Osamu Yokosuka
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Naoya Kato
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
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Fujiwara K, Fukuda Y, Seza K, Saito M, Yasui S, Nakano M, Yokosuka O, Kato N. Long-term observation of acute-onset autoimmune hepatitis presenting clinically and radiologically as acute hepatitis. Hepatol Int 2018; 12:191-199. [DOI: 10.1007/s12072-018-9848-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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Fujiwara K, Yasui S, Yokosuka O, Oda S, Kato N. Diagnostic utility of radiological heterogeneity in acute severe (fulminant) autoimmune hepatitis. JOURNAL OF HEPATO-BILIARY-PANCREATIC SCIENCES 2017; 24:485-491. [PMID: 28660716 DOI: 10.1002/jhbp.487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Histological examination is useful for the diagnosis of acute severe (fulminant) autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), but it is sometimes difficult to perform liver biopsy due to the complicated coagulopathy and ascites. We have shown that heterogeneous hypoattenuation on unenhanced computed tomography (CT) is a characteristic imaging feature of acute severe (fulminant) AIH. In the present study, we examined the utility of the imaging feature by applying the score to diagnose acute severe (fulminant) AIH. METHODS Twenty-three patients with acute severe (fulminant) AIH were analyzed retrospectively. Modified AIH score was created by adding three points to AIH score with/without histological points in case of the presence of heterogeneous hypoattenuation on unenhanced CT. RESULTS Areas of hypoattenuation were present in 15 (65%) patients, all of which were heterogeneous pattern. Five (22%) patients were diagnosed as "definite" AIH, 16 (69%) as "probable" and two (9%) as "non-diagnosis" by the revised original score without histological score. By adding three points, two of "non-diagnosis" changed to "probable" AIH, and all patients were diagnosed as AIH. CONCLUSIONS Modified AIH score using heterogeneous CT image finding would be beneficial especially for patients in whom histological examinations cannot be performed because of complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiichi Fujiwara
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Shin Yasui
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Osamu Yokosuka
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Shigeto Oda
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Naoya Kato
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
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Fujiwara K, Yasui S, Yonemitsu Y, Arai M, Kanda T, Fukuda Y, Nakano M, Oda S, Yokosuka O. Analysis of infectious complications and timing for emergency liver transplantation in autoimmune acute liver failure. JOURNAL OF HEPATO-BILIARY-PANCREATIC SCIENCES 2016; 23:212-9. [PMID: 26808231 DOI: 10.1002/jhbp.326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is one of major etiologies of acute liver failure (ALF), and the survival rate without liver transplantation (LT) of patients with fulminant AIH is especially poor worldwide. We investigated the clinicopathological features of infectious complications in autoimmune ALF retrospectively and tried to determine when to continue corticosteroid (CS) treatment or abandon it for LT. METHODS Twenty patients with autoimmune ALF, comprising five severe hepatitis, 13 fulminant hepatitis and two late onset hepatic failure, were analyzed. RESULTS Corticosteroids were administered to 19 patients. Seventeen infectious complications were observed in 12 patients. The median (range) duration between the introduction of CS and onset of infection was 15 (10–41) days. There were no significant differences in clinicobiochemical features between patients with and without infection. Of 20 patients, eight (40%) recovered without LT, four (20%) received LT and eight (40%) died without LT. Dead or transplanted patients had more advanced liver failure on admission than recovered ones (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Two-week after the introduction of CS is a critical point for avoiding infectious complications. Therefore, we should have evaluated efficacy of CS and performed LT by then at the latest in case of failure to improve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiichi Fujiwara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Nephrology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan.
| | - Shin Yasui
- Department of Gastroenterology and Nephrology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Yutaka Yonemitsu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Nephrology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Makoto Arai
- Department of Gastroenterology and Nephrology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Kanda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Nephrology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Fukuda
- Department of Gastroenterology, Seikeikai Chiba Medical Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Masayuki Nakano
- Division of Pathology, Shonan Fujisawa Tokushukai Hospital, Fujisawa, Japan
| | - Shigeto Oda
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Osamu Yokosuka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Nephrology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
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Fujiwara K, Fukuda Y, Seza K, Saito M, Yasui S, Nakano M, Yokosuka O. High level of persistent liver injury is one of clinical characteristics in treatment-naïve acute onset autoimmune hepatitis: experience in a community hospital. JOURNAL OF HEPATO-BILIARY-PANCREATIC SCIENCES 2016; 23:174-80. [DOI: 10.1002/jhbp.319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Keiichi Fujiwara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Nephrology, Graduate School of Medicine; Chiba University; 1-8-1 Inohana Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670 Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Fukuda
- Department of Gastroenterology; Seikeikai Chiba Medical Center; Chiba Japan
| | - Katsushi Seza
- Department of Gastroenterology; Seikeikai Chiba Medical Center; Chiba Japan
| | - Masaya Saito
- Department of Gastroenterology; Seikeikai Chiba Medical Center; Chiba Japan
| | - Shin Yasui
- Department of Gastroenterology and Nephrology, Graduate School of Medicine; Chiba University; 1-8-1 Inohana Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670 Japan
| | - Masayuki Nakano
- Division of Pathology; Shonan Fujisawa Tokushukai Hospital; Fujisawa Japan
| | - Osamu Yokosuka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Nephrology, Graduate School of Medicine; Chiba University; 1-8-1 Inohana Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670 Japan
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