Autoimmune hepatitis: a noninfectious killer.

PURPOSE: This article reviews autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) to promote early recognition, diagnosis, and referral for nurse practitioners (NPs) encountering this rare condition.

DATA SOURCES: Selected research and clinical articles from Medline, PubMed, and CINAHL.

CONCLUSIONS

AIH is a rare condition of unknown etiology affecting women 3.6 times more than men and may result in liver failure, subsequent liver transplantation, and death. Untreated AH is associated with up to 80% mortality. Collaboration and referral to gastroenterologists, hepatologists, and other specialists are needed to improve outcomes for this potentially devastating disease.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Corticosteroid treatment has long been the mainstay of treatment of AIH, although newer therapies are promising. NPs can dramatically improve outcomes by early recognition, diagnosis, referral, and monitoring for common side effects of treatment working collaboratively with specialists.