The demographics of autoimmune hepatitis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients: a United States cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the liver with increasing global prevalence. However, no epidemiological data exist for AIH in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. AIM: To determine the demographics and comorbid conditions associated with AIH among HIV-infected individuals in the United States. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The United States National Inpatient Sample database was used to identify HIV hospital encounters in 2012–2014. The encounters were then classified into 2 groups based on a concomitant primary diagnosis of AIH. Primary outcomes included the demographics and comorbid conditions of AIH among HIV-infected patients. Secondary outcomes assessed the independent predictors of AIH. RESULTS: A total of 48,3310 patients with an HIV diagnosis were included. The estimated AIH prevalence was 52.8/100,000 HIV hospital encounters. The female gender was more likely to have AIH with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.82; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.42–2.32, p < 0.0001. The age intervals of 35–50 and 51–65 years had higher odds of AIH 110 (43.1%) and 115 (45.1%) with OR = 1.30; 95% CI: 1.02–1.67, p = 0.03 and OR = 1.34; 95% CI: 1.05–1.71, p = 0.02, respectively. African American and Hispanic races were more commonly affected. Moreover, HIV-infected patients with AIH had a higher risk of having elevated transaminases, long-term steroid use, rheumatoid arthritis, and ulcerative colitis. CONCLUSIONS: This study illustrates that the estimated prevalence of AIH in HIV-infected patients in the United States is 52.8/100,000. AIH in HIV-positive individuals has a predilection for the female gender and African American and Hispanic races, and shows a higher correlation with rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis.