J Korean Med Assoc.  2005 May;48(5):456-464. 10.5124/jkma.2005.48.5.456.

Autoimmune Hepatitis: Recent Korean Trend

• Lee YS

• KMID: 2183551
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2005.48.5.456

Abstract

Autoimmune hepatitis is defined as an unresolving, predominantly periportal hepatitis of unknown etiology, usually with hypergammaglobulinemia and tissue autoantibodies, which is responsive to immunosuppressive therapy. Clinical manifestations, diagnostic criteria, differential diagnosis and treatment guideline have been described. In Korea the prevalence of autoimmune hepatitis seemed to be lower than that in western countries, but clinical features were similar, except for more severe female preponderance. According to recent clinical survey, mean age is 47.8, and MF ratio is 9:1. Mostly type 1, and had cirrhosis in 22% at the time of diagnosis. 16% of patients had associated immunologic disorders. The diagnosis is definite is 47.3%, and probable in 51.3%. 72% were treated with immunosuppressive therapy with remission rate of 70%. To understand the clinical features of autoimmune hepatitis adquately, nationalwide prospective clinical and epidemiological studies are needed urgently.

Keyword

Autoimmune hepatitis; Clinical manifestation; Diagnosis; Treatment; Korean trend

MeSH Terms

Autoantibodies
Diagnosis
Diagnosis, Differential
Female
Fibrosis
Hepatitis
Hepatitis, Autoimmune*
Humans
Hypergammaglobulinemia
Korea
Prevalence
Autoantibodies