[Autoimmune hepatitis and CREST syndrome]

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Immunology
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic liver disease characterized by immune-mediated liver cell injury.
• CREST syndrome (Calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility, Sclerodactyly, and Telangiectasia) is a rare variant of systemic sclerosis.

Observation:

• A 59-year-old woman presented with progressive jaundice, a key symptom of liver dysfunction.
• Her medical history revealed a prior diagnosis of CREST syndrome.

Findings:

• The patient was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis.
• This case is notable for the rare co-occurrence of autoimmune hepatitis and CREST syndrome in the same individual.

Implications:

• This report underscores the importance of considering autoimmune liver disease in patients with systemic autoimmune conditions like CREST syndrome.
• Further research may elucidate shared etiological factors or pathogenic mechanisms between AIH and CREST syndrome.