Clinical, serological, histopathological and treatment profile of autoimmune hepatitis in the elderly

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), despite being uncommon, is on the rise in the elderly population. However, no study from India has described the natural history and treatment outcome of AIH in the elderly. The aim was to study the characteristics of AIH in the elderly population and compare them with the younger population.

Patients with a diagnosis of AIH based on the revised International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group (IAIHG) criteria were recruited from January 2011 to June 2018. Patients were defined as elderly when ≥ 60 years and young when < 60 years of age. Clinical, serological, histological characteristics and treatment outcome with follow-up until 12 months were analyzed and compared between the two groups.

Out of 155 patients, 33 (21.29%) were elderly. Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) as the presentation was more common in elderly as compared to young AIH patients (39.4% vs. 13.9%, p = 0.0024). Serum alanine aminotransferases and serum creatinine levels were significantly higher in elderly patients as compared to the younger group (p < 0.05). On histology cirrhosis was significantly more common in the elderly group (75.7% vs. 56.6%, p = 0.045). Response to treatment at the end of 12 months was similar in both groups. Due to co-morbidities immunosuppressant could not be started in 18.2% of elderly and 6.5% of younger patients (p = 0.065).

AIH is an important differential diagnosis among the elderly population presenting with ACLF and cirrhosis. When given appropriate immunosuppressants they have a similar outcome as compared to the youngest population.