Browse by author
Lookup NU author(s): Dr Jess Dyson, Dr Lin Lee Wong, Dr Theophile BigirumurameORCiD, Dr Stuart Kendrick, Professor David Jones
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
Background Treatment paradigms in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) have remained largely unchanged for decades. Studies report ≤20% of patients have sub‐optimal treatment response with most requiring long‐term therapy. Aim The United Kingdom Autoimmune Hepatitis (UK‐AIH) study was established to evaluate current treatment practice and outcomes, determine the unmet needs of patients, and develop and implement improved treatment approaches. Methods The United Kingdom Autoimmune Hepatitis study is a cross‐sectional cohort study examining secondary care management of prevalent adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis. Enrolment began in March 2014. Prevalent cases were defined as having been diagnosed and treated for >1 year. Demographic data, biochemistry, treatment history and response, and care location were collected. Results In total, 1249 patients were recruited; 635 were cared for in transplant units and 614 in non‐transplant centres (81% female with median age at diagnosis 50 years). Overall, 29 treatment regimens were reported and biochemical remission rate was 59%. Remission rates were significantly higher in transplant compared to non‐transplant centres (62 vs 55%, P = 0.028). 55% have ongoing corticosteroid exposure; 9% are receiving prednisolone monotherapy. Those aged ≤20 years at diagnosis were more likely to develop cirrhosis and place of care was associated with an aggressive disease phenotype. Conclusion There are significant discrepancies in the care received by patients with autoimmune hepatitis in the UK. A high proportion remains on corticosteroids and there is significant treatment variability. Patients receiving care in transplant centres were more likely to achieve and maintain remission. Overall poor remission rates suggest that there are significant unmet therapeutic needs for patients with autoimmune hepatitis.
Author(s): Dyson JK, Wong LL, Bigirumurame T, Hirschfield GM, Kendrick S, Oo YH, Lohse AW, Heneghan MA, Jones DEJ
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Year: 2018
Volume: 48
Issue: 9
Pages: 951-960
Print publication date: 01/11/2018
Online publication date: 18/09/2018
Acceptance date: 08/08/2018
Date deposited: 17/01/2022
ISSN (print): 0269-2813
ISSN (electronic): 1365-2036
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14968
DOI: 10.1111/apt.14968
Altmetrics provided by Altmetric