Displaying all 5 publications

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  1. Lee WS, Saw CB, Sarji SA
    J Paediatr Child Health, 2005 Apr;41(4):225-7.
    PMID: 15813880
    A 5-year-old Chinese girl with 1-year history of progressive jaundice, steatorrhoea and pruritus was referred. Physical examination showed failure to thrive, marked jaundice, finger clubbing and hepatomegaly. There was laboratory evidence of cholestatic jaundice and autoimmunity, with marked elevation of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (gammaGT). Histology of percutaneous liver biopsy revealed hepatitis around the portal triad, as well as features of liver cirrhosis. Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) overlapping with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) was suspected. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was not feasible as there was no weight-appropriate ERCP scope available. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) was performed and revealed areas of irregularity and slight attenuation of the right and left hepatic ducts, representing stricturing, in keeping with PSC. PSC/AIH overlap syndrome was diagnosed in this child in which MRCP has contributed to its diagnosis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Hepatitis, Autoimmune/complications*
  2. Anand L, Choudhury A, Bihari C, Sharma BC, Kumar M, Maiwall R, et al.
    Hepatology, 2019 08;70(2):587-596.
    PMID: 30113706 DOI: 10.1002/hep.30205
    Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is considered less common in the Asia Pacific region. Due to this, AIH flare as a cause of acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) is often overlooked and treatment delayed. We aimed at the defining clinical and histopathological spectrum and role of steroid therapy in AIH-ACLF. Patients with AIH-ACLF, prospectively recruited and followed between 2012 and 2017, were analyzed from the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver ACLF Research Consortium (AARC) data base. Diagnosis of AIH was confirmed using International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group score or simplified AIH score with histopathological evidence. Of 2,825 ACLF patients, 82 (2.9%) fulfilled criteria of AIH (age 42.1 ± 18.1 years, 70% female). At baseline, mean bilirubin was 18.6 ± 8.2 mg/dL, Child-Turcotte-Pugh score was 11.7 ± 1.4, and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score was 27.6 ± 6.5. Mean immunoglobulin G was 21.61 ± 7.32 g/dL, and this was elevated ≥1.1 times in 97% of cases; 49% were seronegative. Liver histology was available in 90%, with median histological activity index of 10 (interquartile range, 7-12); 90% with moderate to severe interface activity; 56% showing significant parenchymal necrosis (bridging and confluent necrosis); and cirrhosis in 42%. Twenty-eight (34%) patients received steroid therapy and showed shorter intensive care unit (ICU) stay (median 1.5 versus 4 days, P < 0.001) and improved 90-day survival (75% versus 48.1%, P = 0.02) with comparable incidence of sepsis (P = 0.32) compared to those who did not. Patients of advanced age, more severe liver disease (MELD >27; 83.3% sensitivity, 78.9% specificity, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.86), presence of hepatic encephalopathy, and fibrosis grade ≥F3 had an unfavorable response to corticosteroid therapy. Conclusion: AIH presenting as ACLF is not uncommon in Asian patients; a low threshold for liver biopsy is needed to confirm the diagnosis as nearly half the patients are seronegative; early stratification to steroid therapy or liver transplantation (MELD >27, hepatic encephalopathy in ≥F3) would reduce ICU stay and improve outcomes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Hepatitis, Autoimmune/complications
  3. Lee WS, Lum SH, Lim CB, Chong SY, Khoh KM, Ng RT, et al.
    Hepatol Int, 2015 Apr;9(2):292-302.
    PMID: 25788179 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-014-9558-0
    BACKGROUND: Little is known about autoimmune liver disease (AILD) in Asian children. We studied the clinical features and predictors of outcome in childhood AILD in an Asian population.

    METHODS: Retrospective review of AILD [autoimmune hepatitis type 1 and 2 (AIH1, AIH2), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis (ASC)] seen at two pediatric liver units in Malaysia.

    RESULTS: At presentation, 17 (56%) of the 32 children [19 females, 59%; median (range) age 7.7 (1.8-15.5) years] with AILD (AIH1 = 18, AIH2 = 5, PSC = 0, ASC = 9) had liver cirrhosis. At final review [median (range) duration of follow-up 4.8 (0.4-12) years], 24 patients (75%) survived with a native liver. Twenty-one (66%) were in remission; 19 (AIH1 = 11; AIH2 = 4, ASC = 4) were on prednisolone and/or azathioprine, one on cyclosporine and another on mycophenolate mofetil. Three (AIH1 = 3) were in partial remission. Of the two who underwent liver transplantation (LT; 6.5%; both ASC), one died of primary graft failure after LT. Six patients (19%) died without LT (acute liver failure, n = 1; end-stage liver disease, n = 5). The overall survival rate (native liver and survival post-LT) was 78%. A delay in seeking treatment adversely affected the final outcome [survival with native liver vs. LT or death (duration between onset of disease and treatment; median ± standard error) = 2.5 ± 2.9 months vs. 24.0 ± 13.3 months; p = 0.012].

    CONCLUSIONS: Although remission was achieved in the majority of patients with prednisolone and/or azathioprine therapy, delay in seeking diagnosis and treatment adversely affects the outcome of childhood AILD in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Hepatitis, Autoimmune/complications
  4. Lee WS, Karthik SV, Ng RT, Ong SY, Ong C, Chiou FK, et al.
    Pediatr Neonatol, 2019 08;60(4):396-404.
    PMID: 31409456 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedneo.2018.09.007
    BACKGROUND: Current knowledge on the clinical features and natural history of childhood primary sclerosing cholangitis - inflammatory bowel disease in Asia is limited. We described the presenting features and natural history of primary sclerosing cholangitis-inflammatory bowel disease seen in a cohort of Southeast Asian children.

    METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of childhood primary sclerosing cholangitis-inflammatory bowel disease from three tertiary centers in Singapore and Malaysia.

    RESULTS: Of 24 patients (boys, 58%; median age at diagnosis: 6.3 years) with primary sclerosing cholangitis-inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, n = 21; Crohn's disease, n = 1; undifferentiated, n = 2), 63% (n = 15) were diagnosed during follow-up for colitis, and 21% (n = 5) presented with acute or chronic hepatitis, 17% (n = 4) presented simultaneously. Disease phenotype of liver involvement showed 79% had sclerosing cholangitis-autoimmune hepatitis overlap, 54% large duct disease, and 46% small duct disease. All patients received immunosuppression therapy. At final review after a median [±S.D.] duration follow-up of 4.7 [±3.8] years, 12.5% patients had normal liver enzymes, 75% persistent disease, and 12.5% liver failure. The proportion of patients with liver cirrhosis increased from 13% at diagnosis to 29%; 21% had portal hypertension, and 17% had liver dysfunction. One patient required liver transplant. Transplant-free survival was 95%. For colitis, 95% had pancolitis, 27% rectal sparing, and 11% backwash ileitis at initial presentation. At final review, 67% patients had quiescent bowel disease with immunosuppression. One patient who had UC with pancolitis which was diagnosed at 3 years old developed colorectal cancer at 22 years of age. All patients survived.

    CONCLUSIONS: Liver disease in primary sclerosing cholangitis-inflammatory bowel disease in Asian children has variable severity. With immunosuppression, two-thirds of patients have quiescent bowel disease but the majority have persistent cholangitis and progressive liver disease.

    Matched MeSH terms: Hepatitis, Autoimmune/complications
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