Autoimmune hepatitis Causes and Risks:
Autoimmune hepatitis is a type of chronic active hepatitis . Cellular immune reactions may be a cause of chronic active hepatitis. A variety of circulating autoantibodies can be found in the blood of patients with chronic active hepatitis. Other autoimmune diseases may be associated with chronic active hepatitis, or may occur in the relatives of patients with chronic active hepatitis. These diseases are thyroiditis , diabetes mellitus , ulcerative colitis , Coombs-positive hemolytic anemia , proliferative glomerulonephritis , and Sjogren's syndrome . Risk factors may include these diseases, or risk factors associated with chronic active hepatitis. The incidence is 4 out of 10,000 people. This disease is rare in children.
Prevention:
Prevention of the disorder may not be possible. Awareness of risk factors may allow early detection and treatment.
Symptoms:
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
Signs and Tests:
Tests associated with autoimmune hepatitis:
Treatment:
Prednisone or other corticosteroids help reduce the inflammation. Azathioprine or mercaptopurine are drugs used to treat immune disorders, and they have shown to benefit patients with hepatitis . Activity should be modified according to the symptoms, but bed rest is not indicated. A well balanced diet to promotes healing.
Prognosis:
The outcome varies. Corticosteroid therapy may slow the disease progression.
Complications:
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call your health care provider if symptoms develop that are suggestive of autoimmune hepatitis.
This illustration shows the major organs of the digestive system. Their relative sizes and positioning in the body are also demonstrated.
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