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Budesonide in previously untreated autoimmune hepatitis
Author(s) -
Wiegand Johannes,
Schüler Andreas,
Kanzler Stephan,
Lohse Ansgar,
Beuers Ulrich,
Kreisel Wolfgang,
Spengler Ulrich,
Koletzko Sibylle,
Jansen Peter L. M.,
Hochhaus Günther,
Möllmann Helmut W.,
Pröls Markus,
Manns Michael P.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
liver international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.873
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1478-3231
pISSN - 1478-3223
DOI - 10.1111/j.1478-3231.2005.01122.x
Subject(s) - budesonide , medicine , azathioprine , autoimmune hepatitis , gastroenterology , prednisolone , regimen , hepatitis , combination therapy , maintenance therapy , corticosteroid , disease , chemotherapy
Background: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic liver disease that is effectively treated with immunosuppressive therapy. Predniso(lo)ne, often in combination with azathioprine, is the basic therapeutic option to induce remission. However, this regimen can cause numerous side effects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate budesonide as a treatment option in the induction of remission in patients with previously untreated AIH. Methods: Between October 1998 and August 1999, 12 patients were treated with 3 mg budesonide thrice daily for 3 months in this open one‐arm multicenter phase IIa study. Primary end point was induction of remission indicated by a drop of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels below two times the upper limit of normal. Results: Seven of the 12 patients (58%) reached complete remission, three patients (25%) had a partial response. Thus, 10/12 individuals (83.3%) responded to therapy. Therapy was tolerated well in 10/12 cases (83.3%). Conclusions: Budesonide monotherapy was effective in the induction of remission and well tolerated in treatment naïve patients with AIH. It should be further evaluated in prospective controlled trials and should be compared to predniso(lo)ne both in monotherapy and in combination with azathioprine.