ORIGINAL ARTICLES—LIVER, PANCREAS, AND BILIARY TRACT Effects of Serum Aspartate Aminotransferase Levels in Patients With Autoimmune Hepatitis Influence Disease Course and Outcome

Background & Aims: Untreated patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) who present with aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels that are more than 5-fold greater than the upper limit of normal (UPLN) have a mortality rate of up to 80%. This study evaluated whether serum AST levels of patients, determined at presentation, are associated with disease course or outcome. Methods: The records of 235 patients (median age, 46 y; range, 5– 80 y) who presented with AIH, based on International AIH Group score (median, 22; range, 16 –28), between 1970 and 2005, were examined. AST levels at presentation were available for 213 patients, who were assigned to 3 groups: group 1, AST less than 2 the UPLN, n 26 (median, 62 IU; range, 23–97 IU); group 2, AST 2 to 10 the UPLN, n 71 (median, 241 IU; range, 107–500 IU); and group 3, AST greater than 10 the UPLN, n 116 (median, 1073 IU; range, 563– 4603 IU). Results: Patients in groups 1 and 2 had a significantly worse outcome (risk of liver transplantation or death) compared with those in group 3 (60% survival vs 82%; P .01; odds ratio, 2.1). These patients were more likely to present with ascites (P < .001), hematemesis (P .009), and cirrhosis or advanced fibrosis based on an index biopsy (P < .001). Patients in groups 1 and 2 also had lower bilirubin levels at presentation (P < .001) and were less likely to be symptomatic (P < .001). Conclusions: In patients with AIH, AST levels greater than 10 the UPLN at presentation were associated with a lower risk of cirrhosis and a better long-term outcome than those with AST levels that were less than 10 the UPLN.