Overlap syndromes

In hepatology, the term overlap syndrome describes variant forms of the major hepatobiliary autoimmune diseases, autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Patients with overlap syndromes present with both hepatitic and cholestatic biochemical and histological features of AIH, PBC, and/or PSC, and usually show a progressive course toward liver cirrhosis and liver failure without adequate treatment. AIH-PBC overlap syndromes have been reported in almost 10% of adults with AIH or PBC, whereas AIH-PSC overlap syndromes were found in 6 to 8% of children, adolescents, and young adults with AIH or PSC. A minority of patients may also show transition from stable PBC to AIH, AIH to PBC, or AIH to PSC, as documented by single case reports and small case series. Single cases of AIH and autoimmune cholangitis (antimitochondrial antibody-negative PBC) overlap have also been reported. Empiric medical treatment of AIH-PBC and AIH-PSC overlap syndromes includes anticholestatic therapy with ursodeoxycholic acid and immunosuppressive therapy with corticosteroids and azathioprine. In end-stage disease, liver transplantation is the treatment of choice.     

自身免疫性肝病活检组织病理学特征分析109例

目的:分析比较自身免疫性肝炎(AIH)、原发性胆汁性肝硬化(PBC)、原发性硬化性胆管炎(PSC)及其重叠综合征的组织病理学变化,提高对自身免疫性肝病(AILD)的认识.方法:对27例AIH、67例PBC、4例PSC、1例AIH-PSC重叠综合征和10例AIH-PBC重叠综合征患者的肝穿组织病理资料进行回顾性分析.结果:AILD患者多发于中年女性(73.3%),肝组织病理变化以界面性肝炎为主(77.7%),在重度患者则出现重度界面性肝炎、桥样坏死等.PBC患者早期(Ⅰ、Ⅱ)占28.3%,而晚期(Ⅲ、Ⅳ)占71.7%,肝组织病理变化以小胆管减少甚至消失为主(62.6%).AIH-PBC重叠综合征患者并非罕见,他的肝组织病理学具有AIH和PBC的双重特征.结论:AILD是非病毒性肝病的重要组成部分,其诊断需综合临床表现、生化、免疫指标和组织学变化.     

Clinical and pathological characteristics of the autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cirrhosis overlap syndrome

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The defining of the autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) overlap syndrome as a separate clinicopathological entity has been controversial and temporally and geographically subjective. METHODS: From 1979 until 2000, 227 patients diagnosed with AIH, PBC or the overlap thereof were treated. Cases with genuine AIH/PBC overlap syndrome were sorted out using close clinical follow up and serial liver biopsies. RESULTS: Of the 227 patients, 19 (8.4%) were diagnosed with the AIH/PBC overlap syndrome. They all cleared a score >10 for the diagnosis of AIH, and tested positive for antimitochondrial antibodies during their courses. Long-term follow up with frequent histological examinations, however, established the diagnosis of AIH/PBC overlap syndrome in only two (0.8%) patients. The most powerful factor distinguishing AIH from PBC was acidophilic bodies in lobules that were detected significantly more frequently in patients with AIH than PBC or spurious overlap syndrome (39/46 [85%]vs 3/85 [4%], P < 0.001). It was more reliable than bile-duct lesions for the distinction of PBC from AIH. CONCLUSIONS: Although AIH/PBC overlap syndrome does exist, it is infrequent and needs to be diagnosed carefully using close clinical and histological follow up to enable timely and effective treatment.     

自身免疫性肝炎-原发性胆汗性肝硬化重叠综合征的临床特点及诊断分析

目的：分析自身免疫性肝炎（AIH）-原发性胆汁性肝硬化（PBC）重叠综合征患者临床特点、实验室结果、诊断正确率及时长。方法选取2009年1月至2013年6月经过肝活组织病理检查明确诊断为AIH-PBC重叠综合征的患者53例,对照组为AIH及PBC患者各53例。对患者的临床表现、实验室结果及入院后诊断情况进行回顾分析。正态分布的定量资料采用单因素方差分析对各组间进行比较,两两比较采用SNK-q检验。定性资料采用R ×C列联表法进行各组间比较,两两比较采用Scheffe可信区间法。结果53例AIH-PBC重叠综合征患者ALT为（173．65±52．08）U/L,血清TBil为（38．07±6．82）μmol/L,ALP为（293．81±28．89）U/L,GGT为（57．57±78．84）U/L。其中ALP较两个对照组差异有统计学意义;血清免疫球蛋白IgM为（3．33±2．12） g/L,较两个对照组差异具有统计学意义。自身抗体中抗线粒体抗体M2亚型（AMA-M2）（27/53）较两对照组差异具有统计学意义;未经肝活组织检查诊断正确率（52．83％）最低、入院后明确诊断需要时间最长[（8±7．7）d]。结论 AIH-PBC 重叠综合征临床表现更类似于PBC,但生化检查结果更类似于AIH,AIH-PBC 重叠综合征兼有AIH和PBC的双重特点。     

原发性胆汁性肝硬化和自身免疫性肝炎重叠综合征的临床与病理分析

目的 分析原发性胆汁性肝硬化(PBC)和自身免疫性肝炎(AIH)重叠综合征(PBC/AIH重叠综合征)患者的临床表现、肝组织病理学特征。 方法 采用国际自身免疫性肝炎小组新修订的描述性诊断标准和计分系统,从68例PBC患者中筛选出9例PBC/AIH重叠综合征患者,分析比较PBC/AIH重叠综合征和单纯PHC患者的临床表现、肝组织病理学特征。 结果 68例PBC患者中,PBC/AIH重叠综合征9例,单纯PBC 59例,分别占13.2％和86.8％,PBC/AIH重叠综合征血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶、γ-球蛋白、免疫球蛋白G,以及抗平滑肌抗体和(或)抗核抗体阳性率明显高于单纯PBC;PBC/AIH重叠综合征合并其他自身免疫性疾病发生率亦明显高于单纯PBC;PBC/AIH重叠综合征兼有PBC和AIH的双重组织学特点,显示界面炎和碎屑样坏死,肝组织免疫荧光检测显示肝细胞膜、汇管区有免疫球蛋白G沉着。 结论 PBC/AIH重叠综合征表现出A·IH和PBC双重特征,不同于单纯的PBC,两者的临床表现、免疫学及肝组织病理学特征上有差异。     

Primary biliary cirrhosis - Autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome: A rationale for corticosteroids use based on a nation-wide retrospective study in Japan

Aims: Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) may simultaneously coexist in some patients, designated as PBC‐AIH overlap syndrome. Previous studies suggest that combination therapy of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and corticosteroids may be effective. In the current study, we aimed to describe clinical features of these cases and to propose a rationale for combination treatment in PBC‐AIH overlap. Methods: We enrolled patients with PBC‐AIH overlap from eight referral centers for liver diseases in Japan, and clinical, biochemical and immunological features were examined. Liver histology of all patients at diagnosis were analyzed altogether in detail. Eighty‐nine and 44 patients with PBC and AIH alone were included and served as controls. Results: We identified 33 patients with PBC‐AIH overlap. The mean follow‐up period was 6.1 years. On liver histology, the HA (hepatitis activity) score was significantly higher than the CA (cholangitis activity) score (P < 0.001). At the end of the follow‐up period, corticosteroids were used in 23 patients (72%), and neither liver‐related death nor liver transplantation had been noted. The sensitivity and specificity of the simplified AIH scoring system for prediction of patients who required corticosteroids during clinical course was 92% and 75% in the training set (n = 17), and 91% and 80% in the validation set (n = 16) of overlap. Only 3% of PBC patients were diagnosed as having indication for corticosteroid use. Conclusion: In PBC‐AIH overlap, AIH‐like features are dominant in liver histology. The simplified AIH scoring system could predict patients who needed corticosteroids with a higher specificity.     

Overlap syndromes among autoimmune liver diseases

The three major immune disorders of the liver are autoimmune hepatitis（AIH）,primary biliary cirrhosis（PBC） and primary sclerosing cholangitis（PSC）.Variant forms of these diseases are generally called overlap syndromes,although there has been no standardised definition.Patients with overlap syndromes present with both hepatitic and cholestatic serum liver tests and have histological features of AIH and PBC or PSC.The AIH-PBC overlap syndrome is the most common form,affecting almost 10% of adults with AIH or PBC.Single cases of AIH and autoimmune cholangitis（AMA-negative PBC） overlap syndrome have also been reported.The AIH-PSC overlap syndrome is predominantly found in children,adolescents and young adults with AIH or PSC.Interestingly,transitions from one autoimmune to another have also been reported in a minority of patients,especially transitions from PBC to AIH-PBC overlap syndrome.Overlap syndromes show a progressive course towards liver cirrhosis and liver failure without treatment.Therapy for overlap syndromes is empiric,since controlled trials are not available in these rare disorders.Anticholestatic therapy with ursodeoxycholic acid is usually combined with immunosuppressive therapy with corticosteroids and/or azathioprine in both AIH-PBC and AIH-PSC overlap syndromes.In end-stage disease,liver transplantation is the treatment of choice.     

Overlap syndromes with autoimmune hepatitis in chronic cholestatic liver diseases

Conditions exhibiting features of two different autoimmune liver diseases are commonly designated overlap syndromes, although there is no current agreement on what constitutes an overlap syndrome or specific diagnostic criteria. As in the classic autoimmune liver diseases, such as autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), the etiology is unknown but presumed to be related to alterations of immune regulation. Distinction of these clinical entities is important for management as outcomes may differ from outcomes of patients with diagnosis of classic autoimmune liver diseases. Due to their presumed rarity, no large therapeutic trials are available and treatment of overlap conditions is empirical and based upon extrapolation of data from the primary autoimmune liver diseases. PBC–AIH overlap is the most frequently described overlap syndrome and may be associated with a poor prognosis. This may represent an important and unrecognized cause of resistance to ursodeoxycholic acid in patients with PBC. PSC–AIH overlap is less commonly reported. Prognosis may be better than in patients with PSC alone; however, worse than in patients with AIH alone. Further studies are needed for determining diagnosis, natural history and optimal therapeutic strategies of overlap syndromes of autoimmune liver disease.     

Development of autoimmune hepatitis in primary biliary cirrhosis.

AIM/BACKGROUND: Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease of unknown aetiology. Up to 10% of patients with typical features of PBC will have additional features of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). A subset, however, have no such features but go on to develop a 'sequential' AIH overlap syndrome. Objectives: Describe our experience with eight patients who developed AIH after the diagnosis of PBC was made. METHODS: We reviewed the charts of all PBC patients over a 9-year period (from 1996 to 2005). Only PBC patients with no features of AIH were included. RESULTS: There were 1476 patients with PBC. Of these, eight patients developed features of AIH overlap syndrome based on biochemical and histological parameters. Treatment included prednisone and azathioprine for 24 or more months. The majority of patients remained on ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) throughout treatment. Response to therapy was defined by improvement in enzymes, and was rapid for all patients. One patient was able to discontinue treatment with prednisone and azathioprine, while seven have continued on therapy to date. CONCLUSIONS: A 'sequential' overlap syndrome of AIH with PBC can occur. Treatment with prednisone and azathioprine may lead to a rapid improvement in aminotransferase levels.     

Overlap of primary biliary cirrhosis and autoimmune hepatitis: Characteristics,therapy, and long term outcomes

Background: Coexistence of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is referred to as PBC‐AIH overlap. Pathogenesis of PBC‐AIH is not well understood and its diagnosis is challenging. We previously reported the clinical characteristics of 10 patients diagnosed with PBC‐AIH overlap. Aims: The aim of the study was extend the earlier series and evaluate the diagnostic criteria, biological characteristics, potential therapy, and long‐term outcomes of patients with PBC‐AIH overlap. Methods and Results: We retrospectively analyzed clinical, biochemical, and histological characteristics of 144 patients diagnosed with PBC and 73 diagnosed with AIH. We identified 16 cases of PBC‐AIH overlap, according to criteria established by Chazouillères et al. and other studies. PBC preceded AIH in 6 patients and both diseases occurred simultaneously in the remaining 10 patients. PBC‐AIH overlap has clinical, biochemical, and histological characteristics of both PBC and AIH. Thirteen patients treated with both ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and immunosuppressive therapy responded well, with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels. The remaining three patients treated with either prednisolone (PSL) or UDCA alone developed cirrhosis, varices, ascites, encephalopathy, or died of liver‐related causes at the 5, 12, and 14‐year follow up. Conclusions: PBC‐AIH overlap is not a rare entity; it was observed in 11% of PBC patients in this study. Further studies will be required to investigate whether PBC‐AIH overlap is distinct from the two individual diseases in terms of long‐term outcomes and therapeutic implications.     

Evolución de cirrosis biliar primaria a síndrome de solapamiento con hepatitis autoinmune en paciente con hepatitis B crónica

We describe the case of a female patient with a previous diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and chronic hepatitis B in inactive phase who developed increased transaminase levels with no evidence of hepatitis B virus reactivation while receiving ursodeoxycholic acid treatment. A liver biopsy showed changes compatible with overlapping autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Budesonide treatment achieved normalization of transaminase levels. We provide a review of PBC and AIH overlap syndrome and discuss the particular features of this case that led us to this diagnosis, as well as the treatment provided.     

慢性肝病中抗肝抗原自身抗体的检测

目的　探讨中国人不同病因所致慢性肝病患者中抗肝抗原自身抗体的存在状况及自身免疫性肝病的自身抗体特征。方法　 166例肝功能异常患者分为 6组 :自身免疫性肝炎 (AIH ) 12例、原发性胆汁性肝硬化 (PBC) 2 0例、原发性硬化性胆管炎 (PSC)13例、HBV组 66例、HCV组 2 2例、肝豆状核变性 (HDL) 3 9例。用间接免疫荧光法检测抗核抗体 (ANA)、平滑肌抗体 (SMA)、抗肝肾微粒抗体I型抗体 (anti LKM1)、抗线粒体抗体 (AMA)和抗中性粒细胞胞浆抗体 (ANCA) ,免疫印迹法检测抗肝细胞胞溶质抗原 1型抗体 (anti_LC1)、抗可溶性肝抗原 /肝胰抗原抗体 (anti_SLA/LP)、抗肝肾微粒抗体 1型 (anti_LKM1)、AMA_M2亚型等多种肝抗原自身抗体。结果　 166例中ANA、AMA、M_2、pANCA阳性率在 7组中有显著差异 (P <0 .0 1)。PBC中AMA、M 2阳性检出率均为 10 0 % ,PSC中pANCA阳性检出率为 5 3 8% ,Fisher精确检验在a =0 .0 0 2水准与其他各组比较有显著差异。AIH与PBC的ANA阳性率分别为10 0 %和 60 % ,Fisher精确检验在a =0 .0 0 2水准二者无显著差异。与其他各组比较有显著差异。在AIH组SMA阳性率为 2 5 % ,LKM 1、LC 1、SLA/LP阳性率均为 8.3 % ,统计学处理与其他组无显著差异 (P >0 0 5 ) ,可能与病例少有关。PBC中分别有 1     

自身免疫性肝病109例的临床与病理特征分析

目的 分析比较自身免疫性肝炎(AIH)、原发性胆汁性肝硬化(PBC)、原发性硬化性胆管炎(PSC)及AIH重叠综合征的临床特点、生化特征和组织学变化,以提高对自身免疫性肝病(AILD)的认识.方法 收集2004年1月-2008年6月肝穿刺病理学检查确诊的AILD患者共109例,其中AIH 27例、PBC 67例、PSC 4例、AIH-PSC重叠综合征1例和AIH-PBC重叠综合征10例,对患者的临床及实验室检查资料进行回顾性分析.结果 AILD患者多发于中年女性(73.3%,80/109),常见症状为黄疸、乏力、纳差和皮肤瘙痒.AIH患者的发病年龄高峰在50岁左右,肝功能检查结果显示为肝炎样异常,丙种球蛋白和免疫球蛋白G均明显高于正常值,62.9%的患者(17/27)抗核抗体(ANA)阳性.肝组织病理变化以界面性肝炎为主(77.7%),在重度患者则出现重度界面件肝炎、桥样坏死等.PBC患者主要表现为碱性磷酸酶、γ-谷氨酰转肽酶和胆红素明显升高,伴免疫球蛋白M升高,74.6%的患者(50/67)线粒体抗体(AMA)和(或)AMA-M2亚型阳性.所有PBC患者行肝脏病理学检查,早期(Ⅰ、Ⅱ)占28.3%,晚期(Ⅲ、Ⅳ)占71.7%,肝组织病理变化以小胆管减少甚至消失为主(62.6 0A).AIH-PBC重叠综合征患者的临床表现和肝组织病理学具有AlH和PBC的双重特征,其中有3例患者同时检测到ANA和AMA/AMA-M2阳性.结论 AILD在中国人中并非少见,其诊断需综合临床表现、生化、免疫指标和组织学变化.     

自身免疫性肝病患者外周血淋巴细胞亚群的频率变化及临床意义

目的调查原发性胆汁性肝硬化(PBC)、自身免疫性肝炎(AIH)及AIH-PBC重叠综合征患者外周血淋巴细胞亚群频率变化及其临床意义。方法本中心2001年6月-2010年12月期间,对41例AIH-PBC、37例AIH和36例PBC患者,以及50例健康人群外周血进行淋巴细胞亚群频率检测。分析患者年龄、性别、肝功能、是否肝硬化及淋巴细胞亚群频率的变化。结果与健康组相比,AIH-PBC重叠综合征组、PBC组和AIH组的CD3+CD4+T细胞频率显著升高,而CD3-CD16+CD56+NK细胞频率显著降低;PBC组和AIH-PBC重叠综合征中CD4+/CD8+比值、CD3-CD19+B细胞频率偏高,CD3+CD8+%T细胞频率降低。在疾病发展的不同阶段,AIH-PBC重叠综合征组和PBC组中,肝硬化组CD3+%T细胞频率、CD3+CD8+%T细胞频率较非肝硬化组偏低。结论通过回顾性分析健康人群和AIH、PBC及AIH-PBC重叠综合征患者淋巴细胞亚群的分布特点及其与疾病进展的关系,为临床科学评价上述自身免疫性肝病人群的免疫状态提供重要的免疫指标。     

Prevalence of autoimmune liver disease in Alaska Natives

OBJECTIVE: There is limited information on the prevalence of autoimmune liver disease in nonwhite populations. We conducted a population-based study on the prevalence of autoimmune liver diseases in Alaska natives. METHODS: Clinical records from 1984 to July, 2000 were reviewed to identify Alaska natives with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis, autoimmune cholangitis, and overlap syndromes of two of the above. AIH was defined as definite or probable, based on criteria established by the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group. The diagnosis of PBC was based on a positive antimitochondrial antibody of > or = 1: 40, biochemical evidence of cholestasis, and compatible liver biopsy. Autoimmune cholangitis was defined as PBC but without a positive antimitochondrial antibody. Primary sclerosing cholangitis was diagnosed on the basis of cholangiogram. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients with possible autoimmune liver disease were identified. Of these, 42 had definite and seven probable AIH. At presentation, 34.7% of patients with AIH presented with acute icteric hepatitis, and 65.3% were asymptomatic. Persons presenting with mild or no symptoms were more likely to have moderate to severe fibrosis on liver biopsy than those presenting with jaundice. Eighteen persons were diagnosed with PBC, five with autoimmune cholangitis, five with overlap syndrome, and none with primary sclerosing cholangitis. The combined point prevalence of AIH Alaska natives was 42.9/100,000 (95% CI = 31-57.7). The prevalence of PBC was 16/100,000 (95% CI = 12.9-25.4). CONCLUSIONS: This population-based study demonstrates that the prevalence rates of AIH and PBC in Alaska natives are comparable with reported rates in other populations.     

Overlap of autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cirrhosis: long-term outcomes

BACKGROUND: The coexistence of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) has been called "overlap syndrome," but diagnosis is challenging and the natural history of this syndrome has not been demonstrated. The importance of the diagnosis of PBC-AIH overlap is due to potential therapeutic options. Patients with PBC should receive ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA); the role of and response to additional immunosuppressive therapy are unknown when AIH overlaps PBC. METHODS AND RESULTS: We reviewed 135 patients with PBC according to a revised scoring system proposed by the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group (IAHG). Twenty-six patients had features of PBC-AIH overlap and 109 did not. Mean follow-up was 6.1 yr for overlap syndrome patients and 5.4 yr in PBC patients. There was a higher rate of portal hypertension (P=0.01), esophageal varices (P<0.01), gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding (P=0.02), ascites (P<0.01), and death and/or orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) (P<0.05) in the overlap group. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, esophageal varices, GI bleeding, ascites, and death and/or OLT were more common in the overlap group. The higher risk of symptomatic portal hypertension and worse outcomes in patients with PBC overlap syndrome may justify the risks of immunosuppressive therapy. Large randomized studies are necessary to establish optimal therapeutic strategies.     

PBC-AIH重叠综合征临床与病理特征:一项回顾性研究

目的 通过回顾性分析研究比较原发性胆汁性肝硬化(PBC)-自身免疫性肝炎(AIH)重叠综合征与单纯的PBC患者的临床、生化和免疫学指标以及组织学特征.方法 经我院诊断的PBC患者按目前的PBC诊断标准再评估,共计48例入选.同时用修订的国际自身免疫性肝炎协作组(International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group,IAIH-G)积分系统进行评估积分,对于AMA阳性且治疗前积分至少达到10分者,定义为PBC-AIH重叠综合征.对两组病人的临床表现、生化和免疫学指标以及组织学特征进行分析.结果 17例患者(女性占16例)为PBC-AIH重叠综合征,31例(女性占30例)不具有重叠AIH的特点为单纯PBC.PBC-AIH重叠综合征最常见的临床表现为乏力或疲劳(58.8%)、纳差(23.5%)及黄疸(23.5%).与PBC患者相比,重叠综合征患者在确诊时的平均年龄、免疫球蛋白IgM、血清ALP和GGT水平无统计学差异;而血清转氨酶水平(ALT和AST分别为:165.0±25.9 vs 87.1±8.7、177.5±32.3 vs 86.3±10.9,P均<0.01)、球蛋白和IgG水平显著升高.组织学分析提示,所有的重叠综合征患者存在中-重度界面性肝炎或碎屑样坏死,82.4%的患者存在肝细胞玫瑰花环样改变,64.7%的患者同时存在胆管病变.结论 PBC-AIH重叠综合征患者血清转氨酶水平和IgG水平明显高于单纯PBC患者,组织学主要特征为中.重度界面性肝炎、肝细胞玫瑰花环样改变以及同时伴有胆管病变.     

Frequency and predictive factors for overlap syndrome between autoimmune hepatitis and primary cholestatic liver disease

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the frequency of cholestatic pattern in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and to identify predictive factors associated with the development of the overlap syndrome. METHODS: Eighty-two consecutive patients diagnosed with AIH at the referral centre between January 1998 and June 2002 were included in the study. The new scoring system modified by the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group was used to classify patients as definite/probable. Overlap syndrome was considered when the patient had clinical, serological and histological characteristics of two conditions: AIH and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) or AIH and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). RESULTS: From the 82 AIH patients (76 female and six male), 84.1% presented definite AIH (> 15 points) and 15.9% probable AIH (10 - 15 points). The frequency of the overlap syndrome was 20%: 13% with PBC and 7% with PSC. In the univariate analysis the overlap syndrome was associated with male gender (P = 0.01), age < 35 years (P < 0.0001), histopathological aspect of cholestasis (P < 0.0001), suboptimal response to treatment (P < 0.0001) and probable AIH (P < 0.0001). Age < 35 years, probable AIH and the absence of anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) have been identified as independent indicators of the overlap diagnosis by the logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Patients with overlap syndrome between AIH and primary cholestatic liver disease are frequently diagnosed in clinical practice, representing 20% of AIH cases in our study. The independent predictive factors associated with the diagnosis of overlap syndrome are young age, ANA(-) profile, and probable diagnosis according with the scoring system for AIH.     

原发性胆汁性胆管炎-自身免疫性肝炎重叠综合征的诊治

自身免疫性肝病(AILD)包括原发性胆汁性胆管炎(PBC)、自身免疫性肝炎(AIH)、原发性硬化性胆管炎(PSC)。患者可在初诊时或随访的过程中出现2种AILD的特征,通常将这种情况称为“重叠综合征”,其中以PBC重叠AIH最为常见。与单纯PBC或AIH相比,PBC-AIH重叠综合征门静脉高压、消化道出血、腹水、死亡及肝移植发生率明显升高,病情进展也更迅速,因此,其早诊早治显得尤为重要。对近年PBC-AIH重叠综合征的诊治进展进行综述。     

Diagnostic and therapeutic questions in overlap syndromes of autoimmune hepatitis

The term 'overlap syndromes of liver diseases' includes coexistence of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Due to their unknown etiology, as well as their variable presentation with mixed clinical and biochemical features, these overlap syndromes are often a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for hepatologists. The most frequent association reported occurs between AIH and PBC. More rare is the overlap between AIH and PSC, typical in young age and often concomitant with an inflammatory bowel disease as ulcerative colitis. The treatment of choice is based on ursodeoxycholic acid and immunosoppressive drugs, used at the same time or consecutively, according to the course of disease. Histological examination seems an important tool, but often does not help for a correct diagnosis due to lack of specificity. Two particular forms of variant syndrome are the so called outlier syndromes, without clear characteristics of overlap: the autoimmune cholangitis, probably a form of PBC anti-mitochondrial antibodies negative, and the hepatitis C virus related with stigmata of autoimmunity, such as nonspecific autoantibodies at low titer. The diagnostic score system elaborated in 1999 by the International AIH Group can help for diagnosis, even if its definite validity is lacking.