한국 성인에서 발생한 자가면역성 간염의 임상적 고찰 = Clinical Features of Autoimmune Hepatitis in Korea

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Background/Aims: Although autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is common in western countries, only
sporadic cases have been reported in Korea. The aims of the study were to analyze the clinical and
histological features and to examine clinical course of AIH in Korea. Methods: One-hundred and
ninety-seven patients with chronic liver disease of unknown etiology were screened with anti-nuclear
antibody (ANA) and anti-smooth muscle antibody (SMA). Fourteen (7.1%) patients had either
antibodies and only 11 (5.6%) of them met the criteria suggested by the International Autoimmune
Hepatitis Group as definite or probable. The clinical, laboratory and histologic features of these
eleven cases were reviewed. Results: The mean age was 53.5 (31 －73) years and all of the patient
were female. The level of globulin and IgG were elevated in 63.6% and 75% of the patients
respectively. ANA and SMA were positive in 54.5% and 72.7% of the patients, respectively. Eigh
(72.7%) of the patients showed severe inflammation in liver biopsy. Among 8 patients who received
immunosuppressive therapy, seven patients (87.5%) showed initial response, and biochemical and
serologic remissions were achieved in 5 (62.5%) and 2 (25.0%) patients, respectively. Conclusions:
AIH seems to be partly responsible for chronic liver disease of unknown etiology in Korea. AIH
should be suspected in female patients with chronic liver disease of unknown etiology, especially in
case of hypergammaglobulinemia. (Kor J Gastroenterol 1999;33:653 - 661)