Increased Risk of Liver Cirrhosis during Azathioprine Therapy for Crohn's Disease. (29th January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Roselli, Jenny; Innocenti, Tommaso; Lynch, Erica Nicola; Parisio, Laura; Macrì, Giuseppe; Milla, Monica; Mello, Tommaso; Galli, Andrea; Milani, Stefano; Tarocchi, Mirko
• Other Names: Moriwaki Yoshihiro Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Case reports in gastrointestinal medicine. Volume 2020(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-01-29
• Subjects: Gastroenterology -- Case studies -- Periodicals; Digestive organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Gastroenterology; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Digestive organs -- Diseases; Gastroenterology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Case studies; Periodicals; 616.33
• DOI: 10.1155/2020/6726384
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-6528

Abstract

Abstract : Azathioprine is a cornerstone of the therapy of Crohn's disease. Unfortunately, infections and malignancies are relatively common adverse effects related to this drug; however, cirrhosis is exceptionally reported as a side effect. We report the case of a 49-year-old male patient with ileocolonic steno-penetrating Crohn's disease who developed hepatic cirrhosis while treated with azathioprine. After taking azathioprine for 3 years with regular follow-up, he developed pancytopenia, and liver cirrhosis was diagnosed with ultrasound, abdomen computed tomography scan, transient elastography, and liver biopsy. As all other causes of liver damage were excluded, azathioprine was believed to be the cause of liver injury and therefore was interrupted.