Clinical Presentation and Outcomes of Autoimmune Hepatitis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Overview

Nearly one-third of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have abnormal liver tests, which can be indicative of underlying hepatic disease. Primary sclerosing cholangitis has a clear association with ulcerative colitis, but other autoimmune disorders such as autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) have also been associated with IBD. AIH may also occur in the setting of an overlap syndrome or in the setting of medications, particularly tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors. Importantly, some studies have shown that IBD patients with AIH fail treatment more frequently than IBD patients without AIH. This review will focus on the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and management of autoimmune hepatitis in inflammatory bowel disease patients.