Long-Term Prognostic Significance of Persisting Histological Activity Despite Biochemical Remission in Autoimmune Hepatitis.

Objectives: Biochemical remission is widely considered a satisfactory treatment end point in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). The significance of persisting histological activity despite biochemical remission is unknown. We aimed to assess the frequency and prognostic significance of persisting histological inflammation in patients with AIH who had achieved biochemical remission with treatment.

Clinical significance of azathioprine metabolites for the maintenance of remission in autoimmune hepatitis.

Unlabelled: Azathioprine (AZA) is used to maintain remission in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), but up to 18% of patients are unresponsive. AZA is a prodrug, and the formation of active thioguanine nucleotide (TGN) metabolites varies widely. We aimed to assess the relationship between AZA metabolite concentrations (i.

Long-term outcomes of patients with autoimmune hepatitis managed at a nontransplant center.

Background & Aims: The long-term outcomes of patients treated for autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) are considered to be good. However, follow-up data beyond 10 years are limited and confined to tertiary referral centers. We assessed long-term outcomes and determinants of outcome in patients with AIH from a nontransplant center.

Severity of alcohol dependence in decompensated alcoholic liver disease: comparison with heavy drinkers without liver disease and relationship to family drinking history.

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare alcohol dependence severity in patients with severe alcoholic liver disease (ALD) with that in heavy drinkers without liver disease.

Methods: Short alcohol dependence data and lifetime alcohol questionnaires applied to unselected heavy alcohol drinkers (>60 units/week (M) or 40 units/week (F) for >5 years) with either (a) decompensated ALD (patients n = 136) or (b) no evidence of serious liver disease by clinical, biochemical and ultrasound evaluation ('controls' n = 148).

Results: The SADD alcohol dependence severity score (range 0-42) in patients with ALD was >28 (severe dependence) in 36 cases (26%); slightly higher than that in heavy-drinking controls taken as a whole; similar to that in controls who were seeking healthcare but higher than that in controls who were not; and lower than that in controls who attended specialist alcohol services.

Spectrum of liver histology in presumed decompensated alcoholic liver disease.

Background: In presumed decompensated alcoholic liver disease (ALD; liver decompensation, heavy alcohol intake, and negative results of noninvasive screening for other causes), liver biopsy is often performed to assess severity of liver injury and to rule out other liver diseases.

Aim: The aim of the study is to describe the spectrum of liver histology in such patients.

Methods: We reviewed all patients with presumed decompensated ALD seen between 1998 and 2004, in whom liver tissue was available for histology (N = 110).