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World J Gastroenterol. Mar 28, 2007; 13(12): 1824-1827
Published online Mar 28, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i12.1824
Clinical heterogeneity in autoimmune acute liver failure
Norberto C Chavez-Tapia, Julio Martinez-Salgado, Julio Granados, Misael Uribe, Felix I Tellez-Avila
Norberto C Chavez-Tapia, Julio Martinez-Salgado, Misael Uribe, Felix I Tellez-Avila, Department of Gastroenterology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
Julio Granados, Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Norberto Carlos Chávez-Tapia, MD, Departamento de Gastroenterología, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco de Quiroga #5. Col. Sección XVI. Del. Tlalpan. C.P. 14000, Distrito Federal, México. khavez@gmail.com
Telephone: +52-54-870900-2710
Received: December 11, 2006
Revised: December 13, 2006
Accepted: January 2, 2007
Published online: March 28, 2007
Abstract

AIM: To describe the outcome and prognosis in a cohort of patients with acute liver failure due to autoimmune hepatitis without liver transplantation.

METHODS: A retrospective trial was conducted in 11 patients with acute liver failure due to autoimmune hepatitis who attended the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubiran. Demographic, biochemical and severity indexes, and treatment and outcome were assessed.

RESULTS: Among the 11 patients, with a median age of 31 years, 72% had inflammatory response syndrome, and six patients received corticosteroids. The mortality rate within four weeks was 56%, and the one-year survival was 27%. In the survivors, severity indexes were lower and 83% received corticosteroids.

CONCLUSION: We observed a relatively high survival rate in patients with acute liver failure due to autoimmune hepatitis. This survival rate could be influenced by severity of the disease and/or use of corticosteroids.

Keywords: Autoimmune hepatitis, Acute liver failure, Corticosteroids