Prevalence of Acute on Chronic Liver Failure in Autoimmune Hepatitis, Treatment Response and Mortality Burden Assessment

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a global health problem. Little scientific evidence exists on its prevalence in autoimmune hepatitis. Treatment response and mortality outcomes have also been reported differently. The study was conducted to estimate the overall prevalence of ACLF among patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and determine the associated treatment response and mortality. We scrutinized wide literature in Scopus, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane, and assessed published articles completely, studies performed and reported from around the globe, until December 07, 2023, according to the PROSPERO registered protocol (CRD42023412176). Studies (retrospective and prospective cohort study type) that stated the ACLF development among established AIH cases were considered. Features of the study, duration of follow-up, and numeric patient information were retrieved from the studies included. The research paper quality was checked for risk of bias. Random effect meta-analysis with metaregression and subsection scrutinies were performed with R. The main outcome was the collective prevalence of ACLF in the AIH patients, whereas treatment response and mortality in AIH-associated ACLF were secondary outcomes. Six studies were involved with confirmed diagnoses in 985 AIH patients for the data synthesis. The pooled prevalence of ACLF in the explored patients was 12% (95% CI: 8-17) (P=0.01). Heterogeneity was found to be high in the present meta-analysis (I 2 =72%; P < 0.01). For the secondary endpoint analysis, the pooled prevalence of complete remission at 1-year follow-up was 71% (0.52; 0.85), and mortality from the ACLF-AIH patient population was 32% (95% CI: 18-50). Sensitivity analysis showed no influence on the overall estimations of the pooled prevalence of ACLF by omitting studies one by one. One in 10 AIH patients likely present with ACLF. The response to treatment is seen in two-thirds of patients, and mortality is high.