Transient Elastography in Autoimmune Hepatitis

The aim of the current study was to assess the diagnostic performance of transient elastography for the determination of cirrhosis in patients with autoimmune hepatitis compared to the diagnosis of cirrhosis made on Laparoscopic guided liver biopsy. Patients referred for liver biopsy and transient elastography with a clinical diagnosis of AIH followed in the liver clinic of the Department of Gastroenterology at the UKE were prospectively included in the study.

Inclusion criteria

were as follows: Confirmed diagnosis of AIH based on the diagnostic criteria revised by the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group 2008 (20): 1. liver related autoantibodies, 2. hypergammaglobulinaemia, 3.typical histological findings and 4. absence of viral markers. Exclusion criteria were morbid obesity (BMI > 40), ascites, ileus or subileus, peritonitis, pregnancy, extrahepatic cholestasis and a severe inflammatory flare of AIH.

Blood liver tests including gamma-globulines, IgG, IgM, liver related autoantibodies (ANA, AMA, LKM, SMA, SLA) and viral markers (HBsAg, Anti HBs, Anti HBc, Anti HCV, Anti HAV) were performed before LB.

Each patient underwent abdominal ultrasound to exclude extrahepatic cholestasis prior to TE and minilaparoscopic liver biopsy. TE and minilaparoscopy were performed by physicians blinded to the results the other within a period of less than 3 months.

Inclusion criteria

Confirmed diagnosis of AIH based on the diagnostic criteria revised by the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group 2008 (20):

• liver related autoantibodies,
• hypergammaglobulinaemia,
• typical histological findings and
• absence of viral markers.

Exclusion criteria

• morbid obesity (BMI > 40),
• ascites, ileus or subileus,
• peritonitis,
• pregnancy,
• extrahepatic cholestasis and
• a severe inflammatory flare of AIH.