- Autoimmune hepatitis is diagnosed with blood tests and a liver biopsy. During a liver biopsy, a small sample of liver tissue is removed with a needle and examined under a microscope.
- Autoimmune hepatitis is usually treated first with steroids (such as prednisone). Prednisolone at a high dosage, during long-term treatment, can lead to weight gain, bone loss, elevated blood glucose levels (potentially leading to diabetes), an increased risk of infections, cataracts, high blood pressure, mood and sleep disturbance.
Duration of Treatment
As a general rule, treatment should continue until normal levels of liver blood tests or absence of liver inflammation.
Approximately 65 and 80 percent of patients achieve remission within 18 months and three years respectively. About 50 percent of patients remain in remission or have only mild disease activity for months to years after treatment is stopped. However, patients whose disease relapses or becomes active again may have to restart treatment.
A relapse typically occurs within the first 15 to 20 months after treatment is stopped and is more likely in those who have cirrhosis on the initial liver biopsy.