Clinical evaluation of drug-induced hepatitis.

OBJECTIVE To ascertain the epidemiological characteristics, clinical symptoms, and evolution of drug-induced hepatitis over the last 22 years. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: An observational, retrospective study between 1982 and 1993, and prospective study between 1994 and 2003. All patients in our department diagnosed with having drug-induced hepatitis were studied analyzing epidemiological (age, sex, cases per year, hospitalization) and clinical features (previous liver disease, hepatic symptoms, laboratory results), and follow-up (complete recovery or chronicity). RESULTS A total of 61 patients were diagnosed as having drug-induced hepatitis, 26 men and 35 women (57%), mean age 52.4 years +/- 17 years, of which 72.2% were older than 40 years. A total of 43% were admitted to hospital. In 87% of cases, two or more drugs were involved, the most frequent being antituberculosis (19 cases), psychotropic (26 cases), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (45 cases). Evolution showed that 94% of patients recovered after the withdrawal of suspected causal drugs. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of drug-induced hepatitis is higher in patients over 40 years of age, it being more common in females. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, psychotropic, and anti-tuberculosis agents were the main drugs involved. Most patients made a complete recovery after withdrawal of the suspected causal drug.