Global epidemiology and determinants of autoimmune hepatitis recurrence post- liver transplantation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) recurrence after liver transplantation (LT) compromises graft function and outcomes. Evidence on risk factors is heterogeneous. We assessed recurrence rates and patient-, immunological-, clinical-, and donor-related predictors. A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies of LT recipients with AIH was conducted. PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL were searched. Outcomes were recurrence incidence and associated risk factors. Random-effects models were fitted in R, with pooled proportions, odds ratios (ORs), and mean differences (MDs). Thirty-nine studies (n = 2600) met inclusion criteria. The pooled recurrence proportion was 21 % (95 %CI, 18 to 25 %). Recurrence was more frequent in children than adults (31 % vs 21 %; p-interaction = 0.03). Younger age was associated with recurrence (MD, -6.60 years; 95 %CI, -11.43 to -1.76). Acute rejection (OR, 1.92; 95 %CI, 1.11 to 3.31) and chronic rejection (OR, 2.64; 95 %CI, 0.99 to 6.99) were significant predictors. No significant associations were observed for sex, MELD score, AIH subtype, HLA-DR3/DR4 status, primary calcineurin inhibitor (tacrolimus vs cyclosporine), or donor type. Overall, one in five LT recipients with AIH experience recurrence, with a higher burden in pediatric and younger patients. Younger age and prior acute or chronic rejection confer the greatest risk. Targeted monitoring and tailored immunosuppression may help mitigate recurrence.