부산대학교 도서관

Background & Aims: High IgG levels are considered a hallmark of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). A subgroup of patients with AIH has IgG within the normal range despite evidence of clinical disease activity. The clinical significance of this biomarker has not been explored. Methods: In a European multicentre study we compared biochemical, clinical and histological features from patients with AIH and normal IgG-values at diagnosis to an age- and sex-matched control group of patients with typical AIH presenting with elevated IgG. Data were assessed at diagnosis, after 12 months of therapy and at last follow-up. Results: Out of 1,318 patients with AIH, 130 (10%) had normal IgG at presentation. Histological and biochemical parameters at diagnosis, as well as treatment response, showed no difference between groups. Stable remission off treatment was achieved more commonly in the normal IgG group than in the typical AIH group (24 vs. 8%; p = 0.0012). Patients of the control group not only had higher IgG levels (29.5 ± 5.8 vs. 12.5 ± 3.2 g/L; p