Autoimmune Hepatitis: When Your Immune System Attacks Your Liver
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Let’s raise awareness about a hidden liver disease that can affect anyone, at any age.
What is Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH)?
Autoimmune hepatitis is a chronic liver disease where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy liver cells, causing inflammation and damage. If untreated, it can lead to serious complications like fibrosis and cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) or liver failure.
How Common is AIH?
Although once considered rare, AIH is increasingly recognized across the world and is increasing in incidence.
Global prevalence: Around 16 per 100,000 people.
It affects people of all ages, although it is more common in women (3-4 times more than men).
Some regions, like Europe and North America, see higher rates compared to Asia.
How is AIH Diagnosed?
AIH can mimic many other liver diseases. Diagnosis combines clues from:
Blood tests: Elevated liver enzymes (AST, ALT), high immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels, and presence of specific autoantibodies (ANA, SMA, anti-SLA/LP, or LKM1).
Liver biopsy: A small tissue sample shows characteristic inflammation patterns.
Rule out other causes: Hepatitis viruses, fatty liver disease, or alcohol-related liver injury need to be excluded in general. However, it may occur with the co-existence of these diseases as well.
How is AIH Treated?
The good news is that AIH is treatable and its natural history can be reversed and progression can be stopped, if diagnosed early.
First-line therapy: Steroids (prednisolone) along with other immunosuppressant medications called as anti-proliferative agents, like Azathioprine and Mycophenolate mofetil, to reduce inflammation. These drugs are started initially in combination to induce remission (to control inflammation).
Long-term management: Steroid-sparing drugs like azathioprine to maintain remission.
In severe cases: If liver damage is advanced, a liver transplant may be needed.
Lifelong monitoring is essential to prevent flares and complications.
Why Should You Care?
AIH can start silently — some people feel well despite liver damage.
Early treatment can prevent cirrhosis and liver failure.
AIH often co-exists with other autoimmune diseases — stay alert if you or family members have conditions like thyroid disorders, diabetes, or celiac disease.
Key Messages
Listen to your liver — fatigue, jaundice (yellow skin), or unexplained aches deserve medical attention.
Routine liver tests save lives — simple blood tests can detect early liver damage.
Stay connected — regular check-ups with your doctor help keep AIH under control.
Infographic: Autoimmune Hepatitis at a Glance
Aspect | Key Facts |
|---|---|
Who gets it? | All ages, more common in women |
Symptoms | Fatigue, jaundice, joint pain, no symptoms in some |
Diagnosis | Blood tests + liver biopsy + exclusion of other diseases |
Treatment | Steroids + immunosuppressants |
Goal | Stop liver damage, prevent cirrhosis |
To Conclude
Autoimmune hepatitis is a manageable condition when detected early. Let’s spread the word, encourage testing, and support those living with AIH.
