Nicole M F van Gerven, Bart J Verwer, Birgit I Witte, Bart van Hoek, Minneke J Coenraad, Karel J van Erpecum, Ulrich Beuers, Henk R van Buuren, Rob A de Man, Joost P H Drenth, Jannie W den Ouden, Robert C Verdonk, Ger H Koek, Johannes T Brouwer, Maureen M J Guichelaar, Chris J J Mulder, Karin M J van Nieuwkerk, Gerd Bouma
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Current treatment strategies in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) include long-term treatment with corticosteroids and/or azathioprine. Here we determined the risk of relapse after drug withdrawal in patients in long-term remission and factors associated with such a relapse. METHODS: A total of 131 patients (out of a cohort including 844 patients) from 7 academic and 14 regional centres in the Netherlands were identified in whom treatment was tapered after at least 2 years of clinical and biochemical remission...
January 2013: Journal of Hepatology