Suitability of the simplified autoimmune hepatitis score for the diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis in a German cohort

Background Several years ago the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group simplified the previous revised original scoring system for diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) into a scoring system based on only four instead of 13 parameters. Objective We aimed to evaluate the suitability of the simplified AIH score for diagnosis of AIH in a German cohort with chronic liver diseases. Methods In this retrospective single‐center study, we compared the accuracy of both AIH scores in 70 patients with AIH and 211 patients with chronic liver diseases (PBC ( n = 52), PSC ( n = 27), NASH ( n = 67), DILI ( n = 15), CHB/C ( n = 50)). Sensitivity, specificity and predictability of each scoring system were calculated. Results Using the simplified AIH score, the sensitivity and specificity of detecting a probable AIH (scores ≥ 6) were 96% and 97% with a positive and negative predictive value of 92% and 99%, respectively. For diagnosis of definite AIH (scores ≥ 7), the sensitivity and specificity were 43% and 100% with a positive and negative predictive value of 97% and 84%, respectively. The concordance with the revised original criteria was 63%. The specificity for excluding AIH was excellent in both scoring system. Conclusion The simplified diagnostic criteria allow a reliable diagnosis of AIH in a German cohort.