The patients remained in remission from one to ten years, which was defined as normal liver function tests and no symptoms. In a much smaller study reported in Gastroenterology three patients with autoimmune hepatitis did not respond in the combined therapy with azathioprine. The azathioprine was replaced with 6-mercaptopurine, a derivative of azathioprine that is believed to have less severe side effects, but not as potent immunosuppressive properties. In the other two cases the prednisone or methylprednisolone was reduced. The use of corticosteroids frequently results in cosmetic effects, such as weight gain, and leaves patients at greater risk to develop diabetes mellitus, cataracts, osteoporosis and hypertension.
Autoimmune hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver without a specific cause.
In another small study, two patients with acute autoimmune hepatitis in Germany achieved remission in a year being treated with budeosnide, another steroid that investigators believe has less severe side effects than prednisone. It all started when I donated blood. A few days later, I received a letter saying some of my tests were abnormal, and I should see a doctor right away. I didn't feel sick at all, but I was really frightened. Melody's doctor told her that her liver was damaged.