Autoimmune hepatitis is an inflammatory and chronic disease of the liver that is identified by elevated serum globulin levels and circulating autoantibodies. Autoimmune hepatitis can present at any age and in all ethnic groups. The disease may begin as acute hepatitis and gradually progress to chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. Autoimmune hepatitis has a wide spectrum of clinical presentations. Although this disorder had previously been known by a variety of names, the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group determined that autoimmune hepatitis is the most appropriate term for this disease. For type 1 autoimmune hepatitis, the female-to-male ratio is 4:1, but for type 2 autoimmune hepatitis, the ratio is 10:1. According to studies from Europe, the incidence is 0.9 to 2 per 100,000 population per year, with a prevalence of 11 to 25 per 100,000 population. No prevalence data on autoimmune hepatitis exist for the United States. Many scientists believe that the pathogenesis of the disease is due to an environmental trigger in a genetically predisposed individual.
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