ABSTRACT

Aim:

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of therapeutic regimens in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH).

Methods:

Clinical and demographical data of AIH patients including the therapeutic regimens given and the response to treatment were retrospectively evaluated.

Results:

Sixty-one out of 66 patients (92.4%) were treated with a combination of azathiopurine (AZA) and corticosteroids; 45 patients (73.8%) had a complete response. In 21 patients (34%) on combination therapy the treatment was modified due to nonresponse (16 patients) or side effects (5 patients) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was initiated in 10 patients (16%) as a second line therapy. In MMF group; 8 patients (80%) had complete, 1 patient (10%) had incomplete response and 2 patients had leucopenia but no cessation of treatment.

Conclusion:

Complete response can not be obtained in approximately one fourth of patients with AZA and corticosteroid combination. Alternative treatments are limited but MMF seems to be promising in this regard.