Drug withdrawal in patients with autoimmune hepatitis in long-term histological remission: A prospective observational study.

Background: Recommendations for drug withdrawal in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) in longstanding remission are conflicting and rely on retrospective data. We prospectively investigated the predictive value of histological normalisation for successful treatment withdrawal in AIH patients.

Methods: Non-cirrhotic patients with established AIH and complete biochemical remission (normalisation of serum alanine aminotransferase [ALT] or aspartate aminotransferase [AST] and immunoglobulin G [IgG]) of at least 2 years were biopsied.

High discontinuation rate of azathioprine in autoimmune hepatitis, independent of time of treatment initiation.

Background: Guidelines regarding treatment for autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) favour two strategies for azathioprine (AZA) introduction: concurrent with steroids at induction or delayed by 2-4 weeks. The safety and efficacy of both strategies have been unexplored.

Methods: We established a cohort of 900 AIH patients from 12 centres in 7 European countries.

Rapid Response to Treatment of Autoimmune Hepatitis Associated With Remission at 6 and 12 Months.

Background & Aims: Changes in serum levels of transaminases immediately after initiation of treatment for autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) might be associated with biochemical markers of remission and liver-related events. We assessed the outcomes of patients with vs without rapid response to treatment of AIH in a large international cohort.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study, collecting data from 2 independent cohorts of adults with AIH from 12 centers in 7 countries in Europe.

Adverse events related to low dose corticosteroids in autoimmune hepatitis.

Background: Autoimmune hepatitis requires long-term therapy, and systemic corticosteroids are the backbone of therapeutic management. Prolonged use of corticosteroids may lead to adverse events but data from long-term studies are mainly derived from studies in rheumatic diseases.

Aim: To assess cataract, diabetes and fractures in relation to corticosteroid doses in the long-term maintenance treatment of patients with autoimmune hepatitis.

Limited relevance and progression of histological alterations in the liver during thioguanine therapy in inflammatory bowel disease patients.

Thioguanine is associated with liver toxicity, especially nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH). We assessed if liver histology alters during long-term maintenance treatment with thioguanine in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Liver specimens of thioguanine treated IBD patients with at least two liver biopsies were revised by two independent liver pathologists, blinded to clinical characteristics.