Remission in AIH: What Is It, & Can It Ever Be Achieved?

[Guest guest]

Remission

in Autoimmune Hepatitis: What Is It, and Can It Ever Be Achieved?

Authors: Al-Chalabi, Thawab; Heneghan, A.

Source:

The American

Journal of Gastroenterology, Volume 102, Number 5, May

2007, pp. 1013-1015(3)

Publisher: Blackwell Publishing

Abstract:

The

goals of therapy in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) are to dampen inflammation

within the liver, with the aim of inducing remission, improving symptoms, and

prolonging survival. Ideally, treatment could be

stopped once remission has been achieved. However,

cessation of therapy may be complicated by relapse in substantial numbers of

patients and although as many as 30% of patients could remain in remission, it

is impossible to predict which patients can stop therapy safely and avoid

unnecessary prolongation of immunosuppression therapy. A retrospective analysis of data from a large single

centre has assessed parameters that could predict maintenance of remission

following withdrawal of therapy. Importantly, it has

been shown that therapy should not be withdrawn in any patient who has not

achieved complete normalization of biochemistry in the presence of normal

histology, nonspecific portal hepatitis, or inactive cirrhosis. The results illustrate the difficulties in relation to

defining remission and relapse in patients with AIH and highlight the need for

consistency in terminology.

(Am J Gastroenterol 2007;102:1013-1015)

Barb in Texas - Together in the Fight, Whatever it Takes!

Son Ken (33) UC 91 - PSC 99 Listed 7/21 @ Baylor Dallas

[Guest guest]

Thanks Barb for sharing the article. My feeling is that it's probably better to have some treatment, even when there's remission.That's through my experience with UC, and now AIH. Although my hepatologist may be okay with eventually eliminating the prednisone, but I'll probably stay on the Imuran.

-Marie Like the way Microsoft Office Outlook works? You’ll love Windows Live Hotmail.