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Measurement of azathioprine metabolites is commonly used to monitor azathioprine toxicity and efficacy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. However, its utility in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) who are receiving azathioprine therapy is unclear. A previous retrospective study did not observe any association between azathioprine metabolites and remission of AIH (JW Gastroenterol Mar 23 2007).
To examine whether azathioprine metabolite levels are associated with maintenance of remission or relapse of AIH, investigators recruited 70 patients from a liver clinic in England who had probable or definite AIH and were being treated to maintain remission. To induce remission, patients were initially treated with prednisolone and aza…