Results of immunosuppressive treatment: Prognosis in chronic active hepatitis

A series of 21 patients with active chronic hepatit diagnosed on the basis of clinical, biochemical and histological criteria, were treated by immunosuppressive cure--a combination of Prednison or Triamcinolon with 6-Mercaptopurin. The cure lasted for at least 12 months and attempts as its interruption usually brought about exacerbation of activity requiring further treatment reaching the total of more than 3 years, in some cases lasting for all the followed period of 7 years. There were no significant side effects requiring interruption. Immunosuppressive treatment remarkably improved biochemical indicators, particularly significant was the decrease in SGPT activity and hypergammaglobulinemia. The results were likewise good in HB-Ag positive patients, 8 of which are included in the series. The prognosis of chronic active hepatitis undergoing immunosuppressive treatment was mathematically estimated. Using the mathematical solution of biological problems the authors arrived at the probable survival of 5.5 to 6.5 years for their series of patients.