Factors predicting relapse and poor outcome in type I autoimmune hepatitis: role of cirrhosis development, patterns of transaminases during remission and plasma cell activity in the liver biopsy.

Aim: To determine factors predicting relapse and poor outcome in patients with type I autoimmune hepatitis (AIH).

Methods: Patients with AIH were retrospectively recruited. Definitions-remission: AST/ALT < 2 ULN; relapse: AST/ALT > or = 2 ULN; poor outcome: cirrhosis complications, transplantation (OLTx), and death; abnormal transaminases: AST/ALT > ULN but within the remission range; abnormal transaminases index (ATI): number of occasions AST/ALT abnormal/years of remission.