Open AccessUndifferentiated connective tissue diseases-related hepatic injury
Author(s) -
Ying Zhang,
Fu-Kui Zhang,
Xiaoning Wu,
Tailing Wang,
Jidong Jia,
Bao-en Wang
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
world journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 2219-2840
pISSN - 1007-9327
DOI - 10.3748/wjg.14.2780
Subject(s) - medicine , undifferentiated connective tissue disease , prednisone , connective tissue , erythrocyte sedimentation rate , gastroenterology , anti nuclear antibody , pathology , liver function tests , liver biopsy , liver injury , differential diagnosis , eosinophilia , biopsy , connective tissue disease , immunology , antibody , autoimmune disease , autoantibody , disease
Hepatic injury is rarely associated with undifferentiated connective tissue diseases (UCTD). We report, here, a case of a middle-aged woman with UCTD-related hepatic injury, including its case history, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, treatment and its short-term effect. The patient was admitted to the hospital with symptoms of fatigue, anorexia, low-grade fever and skin rashes. She had a past history of left knee joint replacement. Laboratory tests showed elevated levels of serum transaminase, IgG and globulin, accelerated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, eosinophilia and a high titer of antinuclear antibodies (1:320). Imaging studies showed interstitial pneumonitis and hydropericardium. Liver biopsy showed the features which were consistent with those of connective tissue diseases-related polyangitis. After treatment with a low-dose of oral prednisone, both symptoms and laboratory findings were significantly improved. UCTD-related hepatic injury should be considered in the differential diagnosis of connective tissue diseases with abnormal liver function tests. Low-dose prednisone may effectively improve both symptoms and laboratory tests.