Acute hepatitis related to prednisolone

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Hepatology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system.
• High-dose corticosteroid therapy, particularly methylprednisolone, is a common treatment for MS exacerbations.
• Elevated liver enzymes can indicate drug-induced liver injury (DILI).

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of elevated liver enzymes in a patient with multiple sclerosis receiving high-dose methylprednisolone.
• To discuss the potential hepatotoxicity associated with methylprednisolone treatment in MS patients.
• To emphasize the importance of monitoring liver function during high-dose corticosteroid therapy for MS.

Main Methods:

• Case report presentation.
• Review of patient's medical history and treatment regimen.
• Analysis of laboratory results, specifically liver enzyme levels.

Main Results:

• The patient experienced recurrent episodes of elevated liver enzymes.
• These elevations were temporally associated with high-dose methylprednisolone administration for multiple sclerosis.
• Liver enzymes normalized after discontinuation or dose reduction of methylprednisolone.

Conclusions:

• High-dose methylprednisolone therapy, while effective for multiple sclerosis, carries a risk of hepatotoxicity.
• Clinicians should consider monitoring liver function in MS patients undergoing intensive corticosteroid treatment.
• Further research may be warranted to elucidate the mechanisms and prevalence of methylprednisolone-induced liver injury in MS.