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Chang ML, Le PH, Chen WT, Chen TD, Chien RN. Hepatic and Extrahepatic Characteristics of Autoimmune Hepatitis: A 23-year Hospital-Based Cohort Study. Dig Dis Sci 2024; 69:2193-2203. [PMID: 38653947 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-024-08439-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The characteristics of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) in Asia mostly remain elusive. METHODS A cohort study of liver biopsy-proven AIH patients was conducted in a tertiary care cancer of Taiwan. RESULTS From 1999 to 2022, of 13,766 patients who underwent liver biopsy, 150 patients with AIH were enrolled. The female-to-male ratio was 2.26. At baseline, the mean age was 51.09 years, mean alanine aminotransferase level was 494.11 U/L, and 17 (11.3%) had cirrhosis. All except one patient had AIH type 1. The females were older and had higher baseline cirrhosis rates than did the males. The 23-year cumulative incidences of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), mortality/liver transplantation, autoimmune diseases and extrahepatic cancer were 64.2%, 13.3%, 23.4%, 30.7% and 21.2%, respectively. The 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, 5-year, 10-year and 20-year postimmunosuppressive therapy relapse rates were 60%, 78.2%, 81.8%, 89.1%, 94.5% and 100%, respectively. Baseline associations were as follows: alkaline phosphatase (Alk-p) levels with postimmunosuppressive therapy flare [hazard ratio (HR): 1.003; 95% CI HR: 1.000-1.005]; age with HCC (1.072; 1.010-1.138) and all-cause cancer (1.041;1.005-1.079); cirrhosis with mortality/liver transplantation (11.933;1.984-71.787); and antinuclear antibody (ANA) titers with mortality/liver transplantation (1.001;1.000-1.003), cirrhosis (1.001;1.000-1.002), and autoimmune diseases (1.001; 1.000-1.002). CONCLUSION In an Asian country endemic for viral hepatitis, the female-to-male and baseline cirrhosis rates of AIH patients were lower than expected, while over 60% of the patients eventually developed cirrhosis. The high posttherapy relapse rate warrants cautious monitoring, particularly for patients with high baseline Alk-p levels. Baseline age, cirrhosis status and ANA titers are crucial for outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Ling Chang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, No. 5, Fu Hsing Street, Kuei Shan, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - Puo-Hsien Le
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, No. 5, Fu Hsing Street, Kuei Shan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Ting Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, No. 5, Fu Hsing Street, Kuei Shan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Tai-Di Chen
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Rong-Nan Chien
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, No. 5, Fu Hsing Street, Kuei Shan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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Katsumi T, Ueno Y. Epidemiology and surveillance of autoimmune hepatitis in Asia. Liver Int 2022; 42:2015-2022. [PMID: 34990076 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory liver disease that mainly injures the hepatocytes. The autoimmune disease might be involved in its aetiology, but this remains to be confirmed. Recently epidemiological studies of AIH in Asia have been broadly conducted, revealing characteristics and management of AIH patients in Asia. In East Asia, most AIH patients are type 1, and type 2 AIH is very rare. However, type 2 AIH in South Asia is as frequent as in Europe and the USA. HLA-DR4 is associated with the characteristics of type 1 AIH in East Asia, whereas HLA-DR3 occurs in AIH patients from South Asia. AIH prevalence worldwide is increasing, and several studies have reported a prevalence of 19.44, 22.80 and 12.99 per 100 000 people in Europe, the USA and Asia respectively. A meta-analysis of studies on AIH showed similar annual incidence rates for all regions, with 1.31, 1.37 and 1.00 per 100 000 people in Asia, Europe and the USA respectively. The increase in the rates could be attributable to the increased awareness of disease concepts and diagnosis. In South Asia, most cases were diagnosed as AIH only after having progressed to cirrhosis, which may cause a higher mortality rate in South Asia than in East Asia. Therefore, the early diagnosis and treatment of AIH patients can improve the current situation in Asia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Katsumi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Ueno
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
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Sogo T, Takahashi A, Inui A, Fujisawa T, Ohira H, Takikawa H. Clinical features of pediatric autoimmune hepatitis in Japan: A nationwide survey. Hepatol Res 2018; 48:286-294. [PMID: 29115027 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.12998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Revised: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
AIM The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of children with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) in Japan. METHODS Questionnaires that asked about patients newly diagnosed with AIH from 2009 to 2013 were sent to hospitals certified as training facilities for pediatrics in January 2015. RESULTS A total of 35 patients were enrolled. The median age at diagnosis was 10 years (range, 3 months-15 years), and the male-to-female ratio was 2:3. Female patients were more prevalent among those older than 10 years and male patients were more prevalent in those younger than 10 years. Fifteen patients had jaundice as a subjective symptom, and 5 had hepatic coma grade II. Liver histology classified 20 as chronic hepatitis, 8 as acute hepatitis, and 4 as cirrhosis. Liver histology was not described in 4 patients. Among the 35 patients, 32 were treated with corticosteroids and 29 were initially treated with methylprednisolone pulse therapy. Corticosteroid therapy was effective in 27 patients and ineffective in 1 patient. Plasma exchange with continuous i.v. infusion of cyclosporine A was given to 7 patients with acute hepatitis. Of these, 4 patients presented with fulminant hepatitis and received high-flow, continuous hemodiafiltration. CONCLUSIONS This survey clarified that the clinical profile of pediatric AIH in Japan is not only different from that of adult AIH in Japan but is also different from that of pediatric AIH in other countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsuyoshi Sogo
- Department of Pediatric Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Saiseikai Yokohama City Tobu Hospital, Yokohama City, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Atsushi Takahashi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Ayano Inui
- Department of Pediatric Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Saiseikai Yokohama City Tobu Hospital, Yokohama City, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Tomoo Fujisawa
- Department of Pediatric Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Saiseikai Yokohama City Tobu Hospital, Yokohama City, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hiromasa Ohira
- Department of Gastroenterology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Hajime Takikawa
- Department of Medicine, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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- Research on Measures for Intractable Diseases, the Intractable Hepato-Biliary Diseases Study Group in Japan Supported by Health Labor Science Research Grants
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Zizzo AN, Valentino PL, Shah PS, Kamath BM. Second-line Agents in Pediatric Patients With Autoimmune Hepatitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2017; 65:6-15. [PMID: 28644343 DOI: 10.1097/mpg.0000000000001530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Ten percent to 20% of children with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) require second-line therapy to achieve remission. Although current guidelines exist on first-line management, evidence for second-line therapy in treatment-refractory patients is lacking. Our aim was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of second-line treatments used in this population. METHODS Electronic and manual searches were used to identify potential studies for inclusion. Studies were selected based on reported response rates to second-line therapies in children who failed response to prednisone and azathioprine. Data extraction and risk of bias assessment were performed independently by 2 reviewers. Meta-analysis using weighted estimate of response rates at 6 months was performed for each treatment option. Heterogeneity was assessed. RESULTS Fifteen studies of 76 pediatric patients with AIH were included in the review. Overall response rates at 6 months were estimated as 36% for mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (N = 34, 95% confidence interval [CI] (16-57)), and 50% for tacrolimus (N = 4, 95% CI (0-100%)) and 83% for cyclosporine (N = 15, 95% CI (66%-100%)). Adverse effects were most frequent with cyclosporine (64% experiencing at least 1 adverse effect) followed by tacrolimus (54%) and MMF (48%). Pooled estimates of adverse events were 78% for cyclosporine (95% CI (54%-100%)), 42% for tacrolimus (95% CI (0%-85%)) and 45% for MMF (95% CI (25%-68%)). Sensitivity analyses were not performed due to small sample size. CONCLUSIONS Cyclosporine had the highest response rate at 6 months in children with standard-treatment-refractory AIH; however, it also had the highest rate of adverse events. MMF was the second most efficacious option with a low adverse effect rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andréanne N Zizzo
- *The Hospital for Sick Children †University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada ‡Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT §Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto ||London Health Sciences Centre, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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Tanaka A, Ma X, Yokosuka O, Weltman M, You H, Amarapurkar DN, Kim YJ, Abbas Z, Payawal DA, Chang ML, Efe C, Ozaslan E, Abe M, Mitchell-Thain R, Zeniya M, Han KH, Vierling JM, Takikawa H. Autoimmune liver diseases in the Asia-Pacific region: Proceedings of APASL symposium on AIH and PBC 2016. Hepatol Int 2016; 10:909-915. [PMID: 27649967 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-016-9767-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
During the 25th annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL 2016) in Tokyo, we organized and moderated an inaugural satellite symposium on the autoimmune liver diseases, autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Following the keynote lecture by John M. Vierling (USA), speakers from the Asia-Pacific region provided an up-to-date perspective on the epidemiology, clinical practice and research in AIH and PBC in the Asia-Pacific region. Although epidemiology and clinical features of AIH seem to be similar in East Asia compared to those in western countries, the majority of patients with AIH are detected at an advanced stage and have higher mortality rates in South Asia, indicating an unmet need for earlier diagnosis and the initiation of appropriate immunosuppressive treatment. PBC is more commonly seen in Australia and East Asia. As of 2016, clinical practice guidelines (CPG) for PBC have been published in Japan and China. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is recommended as a first-line therapy by both CPG. Nevertheless, one of the unmet therapeutic needs in PBC is the treatment of patients refractory to or intolerant of UDCA. It is of interest that the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in PBC patients was low in Taiwan and mainland China where the prevalence of CHB is very high. In this review, we overview this exciting and epoch-making symposium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Tanaka
- Department of Medicine, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Xiong Ma
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Osamu Yokosuka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Nephrology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Martin Weltman
- Department Head Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nepean Hospital, Derby Street, Kingswood, NSW, Australia
| | - Hong You
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | | | - Yoon Jun Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Zaigham Abbas
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ziauddin University Hospital Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Diana A Payawal
- Department of Hepatology, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Manila, Philippines
| | - Ming-Ling Chang
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kuei Shan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Cumali Efe
- Department of Gastroenterology, Batman State Hospital, Batman, Turkey
| | - Ersan Ozaslan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Numune Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Masanori Abe
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Japan
| | | | - Mikio Zeniya
- Department of Internal Medicine, Sanno Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kwang Hyub Han
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - John M Vierling
- Departments of Medicine and Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hajime Takikawa
- Department of Medicine, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Low AS, Tan M, Garcia A, Aw M, Quak SH. Childhood autoimmune hepatitis in a paediatric unit of a tertiary care hospital. Singapore Med J 2015; 55:648-51. [PMID: 25630319 DOI: 10.11622/smedj.2014179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although childhood autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) has been extensively investigated in the West, data on AIH in the East is lacking. We aimed to investigate AIH's clinical, biochemical and histological features, as well as its outcomes, in one of Singapore's two major paediatric units. METHODS This was a retrospective study of children diagnosed with AIH in the paediatric unit of National University Hospital, Singapore, over the last 12 years. Children with de novo AIH after liver transplantation were excluded. The demographic and clinical features of the patients, and their laboratory, treatment and clinical outcomes were reviewed. RESULTS This study comprised ten patients (six females, four males), with a median age of 5.1 (range 2.1-13.8) years at diagnosis. Five patients had inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Seven patients had type 1 AIH, and three had autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis (ASC) and IBD; none had type 2 AIH. The median level of aspartate aminotransferase at diagnosis was 183 (range 45-2,649) U/L. Prednisolone 1 mg/kg/day was prescribed at diagnosis for eight patients. Two patients were lost to follow-up and were treated symptomatically when they re-presented with end-stage liver disease. Azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil was prescribed after 3-7 months of treatment. Normalisation of aminotransferase levels took an average of 5.3 (range 1-39) months. CONCLUSION AIH is a rare but important cause of liver pathology. Children in this region with elevated aminotransferases or unexplained hepatomegaly should be screened for AIH.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michelle Tan
- Department of Paediatrics, National University Health System, 1E Kent Ridge Road, NUHS Tower Block Level 12 Singapore 119228.
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Lee WS, Lum SH, Lim CB, Chong SY, Khoh KM, Ng RT, Teo KM, Boey CCM, Pailoor J. Characteristics and outcome of autoimmune liver disease in Asian children. Hepatol Int 2014; 9:292-302. [PMID: 25788179 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-014-9558-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2014] [Accepted: 06/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about autoimmune liver disease (AILD) in Asian children. We studied the clinical features and predictors of outcome in childhood AILD in an Asian population. METHODS Retrospective review of AILD [autoimmune hepatitis type 1 and 2 (AIH1, AIH2), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis (ASC)] seen at two pediatric liver units in Malaysia. RESULTS At presentation, 17 (56%) of the 32 children [19 females, 59%; median (range) age 7.7 (1.8-15.5) years] with AILD (AIH1 = 18, AIH2 = 5, PSC = 0, ASC = 9) had liver cirrhosis. At final review [median (range) duration of follow-up 4.8 (0.4-12) years], 24 patients (75%) survived with a native liver. Twenty-one (66%) were in remission; 19 (AIH1 = 11; AIH2 = 4, ASC = 4) were on prednisolone and/or azathioprine, one on cyclosporine and another on mycophenolate mofetil. Three (AIH1 = 3) were in partial remission. Of the two who underwent liver transplantation (LT; 6.5%; both ASC), one died of primary graft failure after LT. Six patients (19%) died without LT (acute liver failure, n = 1; end-stage liver disease, n = 5). The overall survival rate (native liver and survival post-LT) was 78%. A delay in seeking treatment adversely affected the final outcome [survival with native liver vs. LT or death (duration between onset of disease and treatment; median ± standard error) = 2.5 ± 2.9 months vs. 24.0 ± 13.3 months; p = 0.012]. CONCLUSIONS Although remission was achieved in the majority of patients with prednisolone and/or azathioprine therapy, delay in seeking diagnosis and treatment adversely affects the outcome of childhood AILD in Malaysia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Way S Lee
- Department of Paediatrics, University Malaya Medical Center, 59100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,
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