Abstract | BACKGROUND: METHODS: The records of patients transplanted in eight centers in our country between 1984 and 1996 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-three of the 2331 (1.8%) recipients fulfilled diagnostic criteria of autoimmune hepatitis at the time of transplantation. Sixteen patients were excluded from evaluation. Nine (33%) of the 27 patients evaluated fulfilled criteria for recurrence of autoimmune hepatitis, with a mean time of recurrence after orthotopic liver transplantation of 2.6+/-1.5 years. Patients with recurrence had a longer follow-up time after transplantation (5.1 vs. 2.5 years, P=0.0012) and were receiving less immunosuppressive treatment. The estimated risk of recurrence of autoimmune hepatitis in the graft increased over time: 8% over the first year and 68% 5 years after transplantation. None of the seven patients with liver-kidney microsomal-positive antibodies recurred (P=0.059). Fifty percent of the patients failed to respond or responded only partially to therapy, although none of the patients have deteriorated clinically after 2.4+/-1.06 years of follow-up after recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrence of autoimmune hepatitis in the graft is a common event with an incidence that increases over time as immunosuppression is reduced. Although response to treatment is poor, patient and graft survival do not appear to be decreased.
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Authors | E Prados, V Cuervas-Mons, M de la Mata, E Fraga, A Rimola, M Prieto, G Clemente, E Vicente, T Casanovas, E Fabrega |
Journal | Transplantation
(Transplantation)
Vol. 66
Issue 12
Pg. 1645-50
(Dec 27 1998)
ISSN: 0041-1337 [Print] United States |
PMID | 9884253
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Female
- Hepatitis, Autoimmune
(drug therapy, etiology)
- Humans
- Liver Transplantation
(adverse effects)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Prednisone
(therapeutic use)
- Recurrence
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