clinical characteristics and response to therapy of autoimmune hepatitis in an urban latino population

aim : we hypothesized that aih outcomes might be different in our patient population that consists of a large number of latinos.   background : literature has suggested that the presentation and outcome of autoimmune hepatitis can be different among different ethnicity and communities.   patients and methods : we performed a retrospective chart review of latino patients with aih diagnosed between 2002-2012. complete and partial remissions were defined as normalization of liver enzyme values, or achieving less than twice the upper limit normal (uln), respectively. results : a total of 28 patients were identified. 26 (93%) were female. 13 (46%) had an acute presentation, one with type 2 aih and 3 with ana seronegative disease. the average pathologic stage (ishak score) was 3.44±1.67 (range: 0-6). complete and partial remission was achieved in 20 (71%) and 5 (18%) patients respectively. ten patients (38%) required maintenance prednisone either alone (2), or in combination with azathioprine (6) or mycophenolate mofetil (2). remission in the majority of patients, including 14 (50%) who were cirrhotic. six of 14 (43%) cirrhotic patients were asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis. conclusion : in an urban latino population, cirrhosis was the initial presentation of aih in a significant percentage of patients raising concerns regarding insufficient screening for aih in this patient population.  a large number of patients required continuous prednisone to avoid relapse.