The gold standard for autoimmune hepatitis is to diagnose it through a combination of clinical, laboratory, and histologic findings. Clinical presentation of autoimmune hepatitis includes fatigue, jaundice, abdominal pain, anorexia, and right upper quadrant tenderness. Laboratory testing can include elevated liver enzymes, increased bilirubin levels, and positive anti-nuclear and anti-smooth muscle antibodies. Histologic findings include interface hepatitis, lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, and lymphoid follicles in the portal tracts.
The gold standard for autoimmune hepatitis diagnosis is to identify and confirm the clinical, laboratory, and histologic features. This approach is important for making a confirmed diagnosis as the clinical presentation of autoimmune hepatitis can be similar to other autoimmune diseases such as primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis.
In addition to the gold standard, other non-invasive tests such as ultrasound and MRI imaging can be used to help diagnose and monitor the progression of autoimmune hepatitis. However, these tests are not as accurate as the gold standard and should not be used in place of the gold standard.
Finally, once a diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis is confirmed, treatment is typically started with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs such as azathioprine. These treatments can help to reduce inflammation and slow the progression of the disease. Other treatments such as ursodeoxycholic acid and vitamin D supplementation may also be recommended to reduce liver damage and maintain liver function.
