Japan alcoholic hepatitis score can help management of patients with alcoholic hepatitis

Ability of a new scoring system for alcoholic hepatitis (AH) (Japan Alcoholic Hepatitis Score: J AS) to predict outcome was confirmed in the data of patients with AH in 2011. Twenty six hospitals provided full demographic data on 59 patients with AH (Moderate 26, Alive 22, Dead 4; Severe 33, Alive 16, Dead 17). There was no report of death in patients with mild AH (J AS score was 7 and less). Prevalence of renal failure, DIC and gastrointestinal bleeding was higher in patients who were died. Cr and PT (INR) were higher in severe AH patients who were died. These results suggest that JAS allows the stratification of the risk of death in AH, and can help the management of patients with AH. If there is any 3 points factor, intensive care such as corticosteroids, granulocytes/monocytes apheresis, plasma exchange and haemodialysis is recommended.