Autoimmune hepatitis is a chronic disease more commonly seen in females, where the human body’s immune system goes awry and attacks its healthy liver cells. This immune response causes hepatitis i.e. inflammation of the liver. If left untreated, this disease can result in complications such as cirrhosis of the liver and/or hepatic failure.

Autoimmune hepatitis can result due to multiple factors like autoimmunity, environmental triggers, and a genetic predisposition. Immune suppressive medications and corticosteroids constitute the usual treatment while grave cases may require a liver transplant.

The most common signs and symptoms of autoimmune hepatitis may be nonspecific and include fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea and jaundice.

The symptoms vary with progress of the disease and can present in the form of loss of brain function, ascites, edema, easy bruising and bleeding, an enlarged spleen, gallstones, itchy skin, joint pain, vomiting, dark urine, pale or gray-colored stools and absence of menstrual periods in women.

The underlying cause of autoimmune hepatitis is unknown and can be multi-factorial including any of several genetic or environmental factors such as medications or viral infections. A positive history or a family history of autoimmune disease increases the chance of development of this disease.

It is recommended that a hepatologist should manage the treatment. Treatment usually aims to suppress the overactive immune system. When diagnosed early, treatment can slow the progression of the disease and reverse some of the liver damage that has ensued.  Medications commonly used initially include Corticosteroids, Azathioprine and other immune system suppressants.

A liver transplant may be needed if the disease proves to be aggressive and causes cirrhosis and liver failure.