Predictive factors for hepatocellular carcinoma in type 1 autoimmune hepatitis

OBJECTIVE:  Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an uncommon but serious occurrence in autoimmune hepatitis. Our objective was to determine predictors for this neoplasm to improve screening strategies.
METHODS:  Two hundred twenty-seven patients underwent hepatic ultrasonography and serum alpha fetoprotein determinations at 6–12-month intervals.
RESULTS:  Nine patients developed HCC (4%), and each had cirrhosis ≥73 months prior to the malignancy (mean, 110 ± 7 months). By univariate Cox analysis, features at accession associated with a higher risk of HCC were: male gender (Hazard Ratio HR] 7.0, 95% Confidence Interval CI] 1.87–26.1, P = 0.004), history of blood transfusion (HR 5.6, 95% CI 1.51–21.1, P = 0.01), thrombocytopenia (HR 7.3, 95% CI 1.89–28.3, P = 0.004), ascites (HR 23.8, 95% CI 4.65–121.8, P = 0.0001), esophageal varices (HR 7.9, 95% CI 1.96–31.8, P = 0.004), and any sign of portal hypertension (HR 19.1, 95% CI 3.91–93.3, P = 0.0003). Features after accession associated with a higher risk of malignancy were: treatment for ≥3 yr (HR 7.6, 95% CI 1.25–18.2, P = 0.02), worsening laboratory tests during corticosteroid therapy (HR 7.6, 95% CI 1.81–32.1, P = 0.006), and cirrhosis for ≥10 yr (HR 8.4, 95% CI 1.69–41.9, P = 0.009).
CONCLUSIONS:  Male gender, features of portal hypertension, history of blood transfusions, immunosuppressive treatment for ≥3 yr, treatment failure, and cirrhosis of ≥10 yr duration identify patients at risk for HCC. These risk factors should focus screening in autoimmune hepatitis.