熊去氧胆酸联合糖皮质激素治疗自身免疫性肝炎-原发性胆汁性肝硬化重叠综合征的疗效观察

目的 观察熊去氧胆酸(UDCA)联合糖皮质激素治疗自身免疫性肝炎(AIH)-原发性胆汁性肝硬化(PBC)重叠综合征的长期疗效.方法 对19例AIH-PBC重叠综合征患者根据其初始治疗方案的不同分为初始UDCA联合激素治疗组及初始UDCA单药治疗组,根据患者肝炎病理炎症(G)和纤维化(S)程度分为病理早期组(G2S2),回顾性分析不同时间段加用激素及不同病理分期患者的疗效、生物化学应答状况和组织病理学变化情况.治疗前后数据的比较应用配对样本的t检验(正态分布)或两配对样本的Wilcoxon非参数秩和检验(非正态分布),生物化学应答率比较应用Fisher's精确检验法.结果 初始UDCA联合激素治疗组中位治疗时间为10.4(6.0～23.0)个月,治疗后ALT,AST,球蛋白、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、γ-谷氨酰转移酶及IgG水平较治疗前明显下降(P值均<0.05);初始UDCA单药冶疗8.1(3.0～15.0)个月后,患者生物化学及免疫学指标变化差异无统计学意义(P值均>0.05),加用激素治疗10.6(6.0~24.0)个月后,ALT、AST、球蛋白,ALP及IgG水平较治疗前明显下降(P值均<0.05),与初始UDCA联合激素治疗组的ALT、IgG及ALP生物化学应答率差异无统计学意义(P值均>0.05).5例病理早期AIH-PBC重叠综合征患者出现ALT、IgG及ALP完全应答,不同病理分期患者ALT生物化学应答率差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).3例患者有治疗前后肝活组织病理检查结果,可见汇管区及界板内淋巴细胞及浆细胞的浸润明显减轻,纤维间隔的范围在一定程度有所减小.结论 对于诊断为AIH-PBC重叠综合征的患者,建议积极早期应用UDCA与糖皮质激素联合治疗.联合治疗对不同病理分期的患者都有疗效,但早期应用可能获得更佳的生物化学应答及组织学改善.     

熊去氧胆酸联合糖皮质激素治疗自身免疫性肝炎-原发性胆汁性肝硬化重叠综合征的疗效观察

目的 观察熊去氧胆酸(UDCA)联合糖皮质激素治疗自身免疫性肝炎(AIH)-原发性胆汁性肝硬化(PBC)重叠综合征的长期疗效.方法 对19例AIH-PBC重叠综合征患者根据其初始治疗方案的不同分为初始UDCA联合激素治疗组及初始UDCA单药治疗组,根据患者肝炎病理炎症(G)和纤维化(S)程度分为病理早期组(G2S2),回顾性分析不同时间段加用激素及不同病理分期患者的疗效、生物化学应答状况和组织病理学变化情况.治疗前后数据的比较应用配对样本的t检验(正态分布)或两配对样本的Wilcoxon非参数秩和检验(非正态分布),生物化学应答率比较应用Fisher's精确检验法.结果 初始UDCA联合激素治疗组中位治疗时间为10.4(6.0～23.0)个月,治疗后ALT,AST,球蛋白、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、γ-谷氨酰转移酶及IgG水平较治疗前明显下降(P值均<0.05);初始UDCA单药冶疗8.1(3.0～15.0)个月后,患者生物化学及免疫学指标变化差异无统计学意义(P值均>0.05),加用激素治疗10.6(6.0~24.0)个月后,ALT、AST、球蛋白,ALP及IgG水平较治疗前明显下降(P值均<0.05),与初始UDCA联合激素治疗组的ALT、IgG及ALP生物化学应答率差异无统计学意义(P值均>0.05).5例病理早期AIH-PBC重叠综合征患者出现ALT、IgG及ALP完全应答,不同病理分期患者ALT生物化学应答率差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).3例患者有治疗前后肝活组织病理检查结果,可见汇管区及界板内淋巴细胞及浆细胞的浸润明显减轻,纤维间隔的范围在一定程度有所减小.结论 对于诊断为AIH-PBC重叠综合征的患者,建议积极早期应用UDCA与糖皮质激素联合治疗.联合治疗对不同病理分期的患者都有疗效,但早期应用可能获得更佳的生物化学应答及组织学改善.

Abstract：

Objective To observe the efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA) combined with glucocorticoids in the treatment of autoimmune hepatitis-primary biliary cirrhosis (AIH-PBC) overlap syndrome.Methods 19 patients with AIH-PBC overlap syndrome were divided randomly into two groups: initiate combined group and initiate UDCA-monotherapy group. Biochemical responses and pathological features before and after treatment were analyzed retrospectively with student's t test, Wilcoxon rank sum test and Fisher's exact method. Results In the initiate combination group, biochemical responses in terms of AIH features (ALT decline to normal, IgG < 16 g/L) and PBC features (ALP decline > 40% or to normal) were achieved. In UDCA-monotherapy group, no statistical difference existed in biochemical responses before adding glucocorticoids, whereas the levels of ALT, AST, GLB and IgG decreased significantly when combined with glucocorticoids. No statistical difference of rates of biochemical responses eixted between the two groups, whereas variance could be seen in different pathological stages. Alleviation of inflammatory infiltration after therapy appeared in 3 patients. Conclusion Combination therapy of UDCA with glucocorticoids could be suitable for AIH-PBC overlap syndrome. Early treatment is of benefit for achieving better biochemical response and pathological improvement.     

107例自身免疫性肝炎及其重叠综合征患者的临床分析

目的 分析自身免疫性肝炎(AIH)77例及其重叠综合征患者30例的临床表现、免疫学及生物化学特点及其治疗方案.方法 164例自身免疫性肝病患者中,AIH患者77例和AIH胆汁性肝硬化(PBC)重叠综合征患者30例,分析患者的临床特点、生物化学及组织学变化和治疗应答反应等. 结果 AIH患者的发病年龄高峰在50岁左右,肝功能生物化学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.74%的患者抗核抗体阳性,32%的患者抗平滑肌抗体阳性,52%的患者伴发了肝外自身免疫性疾病.肝组织病理变化以界面性肝炎为主(65%),在中、重度患者则出现小叶性肝炎、玫瑰花结样改变、桥接样坏死等.AIH-PBC重叠综合征患者血清ALT、AST、γ谷氨酰转移酶、碱性磷酸酶和抗核抗体、抗线粒体抗体(AMA)/AMA-M2阳性率较高,组织学检查往往还伴有胆管的病变.60例AIH患者接受免疫抑制剂强的松龙联合硫唑嘌呤治疗第1年时,AIH治疗患者达完全缓解者42例(70%),其中26例持续缓解,16例复发(激素减量至≤10 mg/d或停药后),10例部分缓解,8例无应答.持续缓解者的AST、ALT、免疫球蛋白G、丙种球蛋白及血总胆红素水平均显著低于非持续缓解者(34例,JD值均＜0.05),此类患者撤除了硫唑嘌呤,单用激素的剂量均可维持在5～10 mg/d.AIH-PBC重叠综合征组经联合熊去氧胆酸治疗后除碱性磷酸酶和γ谷氨酰转移酶外,其余肝功能指标(ALT、AST、总胆红素)亦明显改善(P值均＜0.01).结论 AIH及AIH-PBC重叠综合征在临床上并不少见,诊断需综合临床、生物化学、免疫学和病理学等检测结果.AIH患者联合应用糖皮质激素、硫唑嘌呤达持续缓解者,可改为单用小剂量激素治疗.AIH-PBC患者加用熊去氧胆酸治疗,亦可获得较好的疗效.     

52例自身免疫性肝炎的临床特点及其治疗

目的 研究自身免疫性肝炎(AIH)患者的临床特点和治疗.方法 收集复旦大学附属中山医院2003至2010年之间收治入院并诊断AIH患者的临床资料,分析其特点.结果 8年间共收治AIH患者52例,平均年龄(55.5±12.9)岁,男、女之比为1:6.4.入院时病程中位数6个月,最长者已达20年.入院时患者的临床分期如下:急性肝功能衰竭1例,失代偿性肝硬化6例,代偿性肝硬化6例,复发1例,症状期24例,缓解期2例,无症状期6例,不能明确6例.有肝活检病理诊断者30例,占57.7％,其余患者系综合临床症状、生化检查、自身抗体检查及激素疗效诊断.其中23例合并原发性胆汁性肝硬化(PBC),占44％.除PBC之外,合并桥本氏甲状腺炎4例,各类肾炎3例,类风湿性关节炎2例,干燥综合征1例,红斑狼疮1例.常见症状依次排列有乏力(48％),纳差(40％),中上腹不适(38％),黄疸(33％),恶心(27％),体质量下降(21％),皮肤瘙痒(13％),关节酸痛(13％),口干(12％),其他(＜10％).23例接受糖皮质激素治疗,其中14例同时接受熊去氧胆酸治疗.12例仅接受熊去氧胆酸治疗.2例因单用糖皮质激素2周反应不佳而加用硫唑嘌呤.另有1例单纯AIH失代偿性肝硬化患者同时接受这三种药物治疗.12例除“保肝药物”之外,不接受任何针对性治疗.这些患者随访7年,存活47例,1例死亡(死因为“急性粒细胞性白血病”),4例失访.结论 本组AIH患者以中老年人居多,女性大大超过男性,临床表现多样,无特异性指标,但症状较为明显.对不愿接受病理活检者,综合临床表现、肝功能、自身免疫抗体,通过非典型AIH积分系统的计算和对激素治疗的反应也可获得诊断.AIH通常并发其他自身免疫性疾病.其中AIH-PBC重叠综合征较为多见.常用药物为糖皮质激素、硫唑嘌呤.当出现重叠综合征、肝损伤较重或出现毛细胆管受损征象时倾向于糖皮质激素和UDCA联合应用.部分患者不用激素肝功能也保持在正常值或2倍正常值上限以内.对这部分患者需要严密监测.     

自身免疫性肝炎和原发性胆汁性肝硬化重叠综合征的临床特征及疗效观察

目的观察自身免疫性肝炎和原发性胆汁性肝硬化(AIH-PBC)重叠综合征的临床特征及治疗效果。方法研究1:回顾分析124例PBC、57例AIH、39例AIH-PBC重叠综合征患者的临床特征;研究2:根据不同治疗方案对39例AIH-PBC重叠综合征患者进行分组疗效分析。结果在220例自身免疫性肝病患者中,AIH-PBC重叠综合征占17.73%。3组患者的性别组成差异无统计学意义,但发病年龄AIH组相似文献   

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.     

自身免疫性肝病重叠综合征的临床治疗探讨

目的探讨自身免疫性肝病重叠综合征的治疗方法,提高治疗的有效性与安全性。方法 32例自身免疫性肝炎（AIH）-原发性胆汁性肝硬化（PBC）重叠综合征患者,均给予强的松（0.5mg.kg-1.d-1）联合熊去氧胆酸（UDCA,15 mg.kg-1.d-1）治疗,回顾性分析治疗前、后不同时段患者疾病状态的变化,评价临床疗效。结果所有患者症状、体征明显减轻,生化指标、肝脏病理损害均明显改善,与入院前比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01或P〈0.05）。IgG、IgM、抗平滑肌抗体（SMA）、抗线粒体抗体（AMA）治疗前后无明显变化,差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论强的松联合UDCA短期内能明显减轻AIH-PBC患者的临床症状、体征,改善生化学和肝组织学指标,提高患者生存质量,治疗安全有效。     

164例自身免疫性肝病临床分析

目的 分析比较自身免疫性肝炎（autoimmune hepatitis，AIH）、原发性胆汁性肝硬化（primary biliary cirrhosis，PBC）、原发性硬化性胆管炎（primary sclerosing cholangltis）及其重叠综合征的临床特点、生化特征和治疗反应，提高对自身免疫性肝病的认识。方法对77例AIH患者、46例PBC患者、11例PSC患者和30例PBC-AIH重叠综合征患者的临床及实验室检查资料进行回顾性分析。结果除PSC外，大多数自身免疫性肝病多发于中年女性，从出现症状到明确诊断平均需要2．5年。AIH、PBC-AIH重叠患者具有较高的转氨酶，PBC、PSC具有较明显的GGT、ALP升高。临床表现上AIH、PBC、PSC、AIH-PBC黄疸发生率分别为84％、78％、90％和67％，皮肤瘙痒的发生率分别为43％、56％、81％和60％。PSC和AIH-PBC具有较高的AIH评分，27％的PSC患者和33％AIH-PBC的评分达到可能的AIH。合理应用UDCA和免疫抑制剂可使90％的PBC和AIH患者症状在六个月内得到缓解、肝功能恢复明显改善。结论 AIH、PBC-AIH的肝功能异常以转氨酶升高为主，PBC、PSC以胆汁淤积为主。应用AIH评分系统诊断可能的AIH时应注意鉴别PSC及其它自身免疫性肝病。UDCA和免疫抑制剂可改善绝大多数患者的症状和肝功能异常。     

Results of steroid-based therapy for the hepatitis C–autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome

OBJECTIVE: Overlap syndromes in which persons manifest clinical, histological, or immunological features of both hepatitis C infection and autoimmune hepatitis are well described. The discordant forms of treatment for hepatitis C and autoimmune hepatitis have made medical management of these patients difficult. We report our experience in using corticosteroids as first line therapy for the hepatitis C-autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome. METHODS: Seven patients with this overlap syndrome (diagnosis based on the presence of serum hepatitis C antibody by RIBA and serum hepatitis C RNA by polymerase chain reaction, and serum hypergammaglobulinemia, elevated ANA or ASMA titers, or histological findings consistent with autoimmune hepatitis) were treated with prednisone with or without azathioprine or cyclosporine, and followed for a median duration of 44.5 months. RESULTS: Five patients (71%) showed improvement of median serum ALT level from 162 U/L to 38 U/L (p = 0.04) and median serum gamma-globulin from 2.1 g/dl to 1.4 g/dl (p = 0.04) by 6 months of therapy. The mean modified histological activity index score also decreased from 11.4 +/- 2.5 to 6.6 +/- 2.6 (p = 0.04) by at least 1 yr of therapy. One patient discontinued prednisone while taking azathioprine and experienced a rebound elevation of serum ALT that did not respond to retreatment with prednisone. Antiviral therapy was subsequently administered and resulted in biochemical and virologic response. Hepatitis C virus RNA remained detectable in all other patients. CONCLUSION: Corticosteroids are beneficial as a first line therapy for some patients with the hepatitis C-autoimmune overlap syndrome, resulting in appreciable biochemical and histological response but without viral eradication.     

中晚期自身免疫性肝炎-原发性胆汁性肝硬化重叠综合征的临床病理研究

目的探讨中晚期自身免疫性肝炎-原发性胆汁性肝硬化（AIH-PBC）重叠综合征的临床病理特征及治疗直答。方法对具有肝穿刺标本的11例PBC-AIH重叠综合征和13例PBC（Seheuer分期3、4期）患者进行比较，重点分析AIH-PBC重叠综合征的临床、病理特点及治疗应答。结果两组患者的性别、年龄、病程、症状无显著差异；AIH-PBC重叠综合征患者的丙氨酸氨基转移酶、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶、γ-球蛋白、免疫球蛋白IgG以及抗核抗体或抗平滑肌抗体阳性率明显高于PBC（P〈0．05）。肝组织学见汇管区与肝腺泡内以单个核细胞为主的较多炎细胞浸润，其中易见浆细胞的聚积性浸润。可见不同时期小胆管损伤或毛细胆管反应性增生并侵蚀肝界板；重叠综合征患者经熊去氧胆酸治疗可使肝功能改善，与PBC患者无明显差异。结论中晚期AIH-PBC重叠综合征临床、血清学及组织病理学表现出AIH和PBC双重特征，UDCA治疗有助于血生化指标的改善。     

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.     

Long term outcome and response to therapy of primary biliary cirrhosis-autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Whether primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC)-autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) overlap syndrome requires immunosuppressive therapy in addition to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a controversial issue. METHODS: Seventeen patients with simultaneous form of strictly defined overlap were followed for 7.5 years. First-line treatment was UDCA alone (UDCA) in 11 and combination of immunosuppressors and UDCA (UDCA + IS) in 6. RESULTS: Characteristics at presentation were not significantly different between the 2 groups. In the UDCA + IS group (f-up 7.3 years), biochemical response in terms of AIH features (ALT<2ULN and IgG < 16 g/L) was achieved in 4/6 and fibrosis did not progress. In the UDCA group, biochemical response was observed in three patients together with stable or decreased fibrosis (f-up 4.5 years) whereas the eight others were non-responders with increased fibrosis in four (f-up 1.6 years). Seven of these eight patients subsequently received combined therapy for 3 years. Biochemical response was obtained in 6/7 and no further increase of fibrosis was demonstrated. Overall, fibrosis progression in non-cirrhotic patients occurred more frequently under UDCA monotherapy (4/8) than under combined therapy (0/6) (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Combination of UDCA and immunosuppressors appears to be the best therapeutic option for strictly defined PBC-AIH overlap syndrome.     

Case–Control Study on Prednisolone Combined With Ursodeoxycholic Acid and Azathioprine in Pure Primary Biliary Cirrhosis With High Levels of Immunoglobulin G and Transaminases: Efficacy and Safety Analysis

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to address the use of glucocorticoids in the comparatively special population of pure primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) patients who have high levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and transaminases but do not have PBC-autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is now assumed to be the standard therapy for PBC patients. However, patients treated with UDCA still have a risk of progression to cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease. The most recent European Association for the Study of the Liver guidelines of 2009 declared that further studies on glucocorticoid therapy in this disease should be a priority. Therefore, we designed this 3-year longitudinal retrospective study, which might provide deep insight into the treatment for PBC.The aim of this study was to assess whether the combination of prednisolone, UDCA, and azathioprine was superior to UDCA alone in these PBC patients.Sixty patients were enrolled in this study. Thirty-one patients underwent UDCA monotherapy, and 29 patients were treated with prednisolone, UDCA, and azathioprine. We analyzed their biochemistries, immune parameters, liver synthetic function, and noninvasive assessments of liver fibrosis, as well as treatment efficacy and adverse effects at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months.Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase levels and the aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) and S-index improved dramatically in both groups, whereas IgG levels only decreased in the combination group (all P < 0.05). Albumin (ALB) levels decreased in the UDCA group but increased with the combination treatment at 36 months. Significant differences between the 2 groups were observed at 36 months in ALP (P = 0.005), IgG (P = 0.002), ALB (P = 0.002), APRI (P = 0.015), and S-index (P = 0.020). Prednisolone combined with UDCA and azathioprine showed a higher efficacy based on our new criteria.The combination of prednisolone, UDCA, and azathioprine is superior to UDCA alone for the treatment of pure PBC patients with high levels of IgG and transaminases. Side effects were minimal or absent.     

Development of autoimmune hepatitis in patients with typical primary biliary cirrhosis

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC)-autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) overlap syndrome is a clinical entity characterized by the occurrence of both conditions at the same time in the same patient. In addition to PBC-AIH overlap syndrome, transitions from one autoimmune disease to another have been reported, but no systematic series have been published. We report a series of 12 patients with consecutive occurrence of PBC and AIH (i.e., PBC followed by AIH). Among 282 PBC patients, 39 were identified who fulfilled criteria for probable or definitive AIH. AIH developed in 12 patients (4.3%). The baseline characteristics of the patients were similar to those of patients with classical PBC. Time elapsed between the diagnosis of PBC and the diagnosis of AIH varied from 6 months to 13 years. Patients with multiple flares of hepatitis at the time of diagnosis of AIH had cirrhosis on liver biopsy. Ten patients were given prednisone +/- azathioprine; short-term as well as sustained remissions were obtained in 8 of these, while two had multiple relapses and eventually died 8 and 7 years after diagnosis of AIH. In conclusion, the development of superimposed AIH could not be predicted from baseline characteristics and initial response to UDCA therapy. If not detected early, superimposed AIH can result in rapid progression toward cirrhosis and liver failure in PBC patients.     

Autoimmune hepatitis-primary biliary cirrhosis concurrent with biliary stricture after liver transplantation

Although the development of de novo autoimmune liver disease after liver transplantation(LT)has been described in both children and adults,autoimmune hepatitis(AIH)-primary biliary cirrhosis(PBC)overlap syndrome has rarely been seen in liver transplant recipients.Here,we report a 50-year-old man who underwent LT for decompensated liver disease secondary to alcoholic steatohepatitis.His liver function tests became markedly abnormal 8 years after LT.Standard autoimmune serological tests were positive for anti-nuclear and antimitochondrial antibodies,and a marked biochemical response was observed to a regimen consisting of prednisone and ursodeoxycholic acid added to maintain immunosuppressant tacrolimus.Liver biopsy showed moderate bile duct lesions and periportal lymphocytes infiltrating along with light fibrosis,which confirmed the diagnosis of AIH-PBC overlap syndrome.We believe that this may be a case of post-LT de novo AIH-PBC overlap syndrome;a novel type of autoimmune overlap syndrome.     

Overlap syndrome of primary biliary cirrhosis and autoimmune hepatitis: a retrospective study of 115 cases of autoimmune liver disease

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study was to compare clinical, biological, and histological features and treatment response in 115 patients with overlap syndrome (OS), autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) or primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). METHODS: Consecutive patients with AIH, PBC or OS followed between 1984 and 2005 in five different centers were included. All data were re-evaluated using current diagnostic criteria of each disease. RESULTS: Fifteen patients had OS (13 females), 48 AIH (40 females) and 52 PBC (49 females). Patients with OS were significantly younger than patients with PBC (median age: 44 vs 59 years). Jaundice (20%) and pruritus (20%) were the main initial symptoms in OS. Patients with OS had serum transaminase and gammaglobulin levels significantly higher than patients with PBC; serum alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase and IgM levels were significantly higher in OS than in patients with AIH. Histological analysis showed moderate or severe piecemeal necrosis in 86% and destructive cholangitis in 93% in OS group. Among 11 patients with OS treated with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) or immunosuppressors alone, only 6 had a complete biochemical response. In contrast, all patients with OS receiving combined therapy, as first or second line, responded, 5 patients to the combination corticosteroids-azathioprine-UDCA and 2 to the combination cyclosporine-UDCA. CONCLUSION: OS is not rare and accounts for 13.9% of patients with autoimmune liver disease in our series. Combination of immunosuppressors and UDCA appears the most efficient treatment in these patients.     

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.     

Medical treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has been in common use since 1985. In PBC, treatment with UDCA improves laboratory data, liver histology, enables a longer transplantation-free interval and prolongs disease survival. Because UDCA is unable to cure the disease newer drugs or combination therapies are still needed. Studies with UDCA and immunosuppressants such as prednisone, budesonide and azathioprine have shown that in selected patients combination therapy may be superior to UDCA monotherapy. PSC is treated successfully with UDCA and endoscopic dilatation of the bile duct strictures. Treatment of extrahepatic manifestations of cholestatic liver disease such as pruritus, fatigue, osteoporosis and steatorrhea can be problematic and time-consuming.     

Prednisone plus azathioprine treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis complicated by vasculitis

The therapeutic effect of prednisone combined with azathioprine was studied in 28 patients with rheumatoid vasculitis. Nine patients with severe systemic vasculitis were treated initially with 60 mg of prednisone and 2 mg/kg of body weight of azathioprine daily. Clinical signs of vasculitis decreased in all patients. Nineteen patients with only cutaneous vasculitis entered a randomized controlled study comparing prednisone plus azathioprine treatment vs continuation of various conventional antirheumatic drugs. Although measures of both vasculitis and arthritis activity improved to a greater degree in the patients treated with prednisone plus azathioprine in the first 3 months of therapy, no significant differences between the results of the two treatments were observed at the end of the follow-up period. Prednisone plus azathioprine treatment was associated with a low incidence of relapse of vasculitis, few serious complications, and a relatively low mortality. We conclude that the combination of prednisone and azathioprine is effective in the treatment of severe systemic rheumatoid vasculitis; rheumatoid vasculitis with only cutaneous manifestations has a relatively good prognosis, and there is probably no indication for therapy specifically directed at the vasculitic process.     

The use of budesonide in the treatment of autoimmune hepatitis in Canada.

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory disease that is successfully treated with prednisone and/or azathioprine immunosuppressive therapy in 70% to 80% of patients. The remaining patients are intolerant or refractory to these standard medications. Budesonide, a synthetic glucocorticoid, undergoes a high degree of first-pass metabolism, reducing its systemic bioavailability, and has a 15-fold greater affinity for the glucocorticoid receptor than prednisolone. Budesonide may be a potentially useful systemic steroid-sparing immunosuppressive agent in the treatment of AIH. OBJECTIVE: To review the Canadian experience using budesonide to treat AIH. METHODS: Patients with AIH currently or previously treated with budesonide were identified through the Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver membership. Data were collected regarding their clinical and treatment history. RESULTS: A total of nine patients were identified. All patients were female, with an average age of 39 years (range 12 to 66 years). The indications for budesonide were adverse side effects of prednisone in two patients, noncompliance with prednisone and azathioprine in one patient and intolerance to azathioprine resulting in prednisone dependence in the remaining six patients. Patients were treated in doses ranging from 9 mg daily to 3 mg every other day for 24 weeks to eight years. Seven of nine patients had a complete response, defined as sustained normalization of the aminotransferase levels. The remaining two patients were classified as nonresponders (less than a 50% reduction in pretreatment aminotransferase levels). CONCLUSIONS: In Canada, budesonide has been successfully used in seven of nine patients with autoimmune hepatitis who were either intolerant to prednisone and azathioprine or prednisone-dependent. No adverse effects were reported with budesonide. Budesonide is potentially a valuable treatment option for AIH patients refractory or intolerant to standard therapy, and is deserving of further study.