Nodular regenerative liver hyperplasia as a complication of azathioprine-containing immunosuppressive treatment for Crohn’s disease

Abstract

Nodular regenerative liver hyperplasia (NRH) is a very rare but potentially severe complication of thiopurine-containing immunosuppressive therapy for autoimmune disorders, organ transplantation, and/or oncological treatment. Here we report a case of a 40-year-old female patient with Crohn’s disease and genetic hypercoagulability disorder—factor V Leiden, who in the course of azathioprine immunosuppressive treatment for inflammatory bowel disease developed NRH, which was clinically manifested by thrombocytopenia and delicate hepato-splenomegaly. Moreover, her endoscopic examination of upper gastrointestinal tract demonstrated esophageal varices. Genetic analysis revealed heterozygous genotype (*1/*3A) of thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT), a key enzyme of thiopurines’ metabolism, which results in lower activity of TPMT enzyme, thereby making our patient more susceptible to azathioprine-related hepato and myelotoxicity development. Treatment was started with the immediate cessation of azathioprine therapy, and administration of propranolol as primary prophylaxis for bleeding from esophageal varices. Currently (3 years after diagnosis) remission of Crohn’s disease is achieved, however, progression of features of portal hypertension is observed. Propranolol administration is continued and the patient is constantly monitored in our Department. Our Case Study highlights the clinical difficulties and challenges associated with diagnosing of azathioprine-induced NRH, as well as, supports previous observations that hypercoagulability disorders and abnormal TPMT activity may contribute to NRH development.

Keywords::

• Azathioprine
• Crohn’s disease
• nodular regenerative hyperplasia
• factor V Leiden
• TPMT

Acknowledgements

Authors would like to thank Dr. Nanne de Boer, from the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam, Netherlands and Professor Jean-Frederic Colombel, from the Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Hospital Huriez, Lille, France for their comments and critical reading of this article, as well as, Dr. Mateusz Kurzawski and Professor Marek Droździk from the Department of Pharmacology, Pomeranian Medical University for performing genetic analyses.

Declaration of interest

Authors gratefully declare support for this study from National Scientific Committee grant (MNiSW N 40210031/3038). Moreover, WB, WM, and TS are supported by a grant from the European Union structural funds for Innovative Economy Operational Programme (POIG.01.01.02-00-109/09) unrelated to the current paper.