Autoimmune Hepatitis
Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory liver disease that occurs due to an abnormal reaction of the body's immune system to its own cells (hepatocytes). The inflammation is progressive and, without treatment, can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure.
Causes of Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH)
The exact causes of autoimmune hepatitis are currently unknown. The pathology arises as a result of a combination of genetic predisposition and the influence of external triggers.
Types of Autoimmune Hepatitis
Type 1 Autoimmune Hepatitis. This is the most common type of the disease. It can occur at any age. About half of people with Type 1 Autoimmune Hepatitis have other autoimmune diseases, such as celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, or ulcerative colitis.
Type 2 Autoimmune Hepatitis. Although Type 2 Autoimmune Hepatitis can develop in adults, it is most often found in children and young people. Other autoimmune diseases may accompany this type of autoimmune hepatitis.
Risk Factors
Female sex. Although autoimmune hepatitis can develop in both men and women, the disease is most common in women.
Genetics. Studies suggest that the predisposition to autoimmune hepatitis may be hereditary.
Presence of an autoimmune disease. People who already have an autoimmune disease, such as celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, or hyperthyroidism (Graves' disease or Hashimoto's thyroiditis), may have a higher likelihood of developing autoimmune hepatitis.
Complications
Esophageal Varices (Varicose Veins of the Esophagus)
The portal vein carries blood from the intestines to the liver. When blood flow through the portal vein is blocked due to liver parenchyma scarring, blood can return to the heart through other blood vessels, particularly through the veins of the stomach and esophagus. These blood vessels are not adapted to a large volume of blood and high pressure, leading to their varicose enlargement. Massive bleeding in the esophagus or stomach from these blood vessels is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Ascites.
Liver disease can cause a large amount of fluid to accumulate in the abdomen, which impairs daily physical activity and can impede breathing. This is usually a sign of advanced cirrhosis.
Liver failure. Liver failure occurs when significant damage to liver cells makes it impossible for the organ to function properly.
Liver cancer. People with cirrhosis have an increased risk of developing liver cancer.
Symptoms of Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH)
The clinical presentation of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is highly variable: from a long-term asymptomatic course to acute liver failure. The main manifestations include:
Pronounced fatigue, general weakness, a sharp decrease in work capacity;
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes);
Discomfort, feeling of heaviness, or dull pain in the right upper quadrant;
Pain in large joints (arthralgia) without their deformation;
Appearance of skin rashes, vascular "spiders";
Dark urine and discolored stool;
In women — menstrual cycle irregularities.
When to see a doctor?
Schedule an appointment with a doctor if you have developed one or more of the symptoms described above.
Diagnosis of Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH) at "Oberig" Clinic
Ultrasound examination of the liver with Doppler sonography of blood vessels and elastography (non-invasive measurement of liver stiffness to determine the degree of fibrosis) — examinations are performed on expert-class equipment, the ACUSON Sequoia ultrasound system from SIEMENS.
Computed tomography (CT) (including contrast enhancement) — examinations are performed on a modern 128-slice CT scanner from SIEMENS.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - the clinic is equipped with the latest Vida 3 Tesla MRI machine and is a reference center for Siemens AG in Ukraine.
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy — is performed to assess the presence and degree of varicose veins in the esophagus and stomach - on FUJI and Olympus equipment with artificial intelligence. "Oberig" Clinic is a leader in implementing the latest technologies in endoscopy.
For histological verification of the diagnosis - ultrasound-guided biopsy performed by an expert in interventional radiology, Y. Ye. Chirkov (as indicated).
Laboratory tests (list according to the doctor's recommendations) in our own certified laboratory.
Treatment of Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH) at "Oberig" Clinic
Liver transplantation is the only method of treatment in cases where conservative immunosuppressive therapy is ineffective, or the disease is diagnosed already at the stage of decompensated cirrhosis.
Why choose "Oberig" Clinic for the treatment of Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH)?
Treatment effectiveness: patient survival rates after transplantation are comparable to the best world transplant centers — over 85%.
National leadership in the field of living-related liver transplantation: as of 1.03.2026, 212 liver transplants have been performed on adults and children, 205 of which were from a living related donor.
Treatment accessibility: free-of-charge transplantation for patients under the concluded agreement with the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU).
Full-cycle clinic: the entire necessary complex of diagnostic services (MRI, CT, ultrasound with elastography, clinical analyses, pathohistology) and treatment, including transplantation, is available in one clinic.
Patient safety: ensuring infectious monitoring at all stages of treatment.
Sign up for a consultation with Oberig Clinic doctors
Online consultation appointment: https://my.oberig.ua/ua/appointment/ or call +38 044 521 30 03
