Chronic Active Hepatitis

Abstract

The manifestations of chronic active hepatitis mark it as a systemic rather than only a hepatic disease. Many of the patients, most of whom are young women, look remarkably well, an appearance that belies the presence of a disease likely to be fatal within five years, possibly within months. Associated diseases are many, and immunologic changes are striking. Treatment with prednisolone seems to prolong the lives of some patients but does not cure the disease or prevent eventual cirrhosis.