Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a rare, chronic liver disease that primarily affects women and, if left untreated, can lead to severe complications such as liver cirrhosis. This thesis focuses on improving the treatment and quality of life for AIH patients. Consensus has been reached on new response criteria and endpoints for AIH treatment, which is essential for consistent reporting and comparison of research findings. Additionally, mycophenolate mofetil combined with prednisone has been identified as a more effective first-line treatment compared to the standard therapy, which may influence future treatment guidelines. Finally, the thesis emphasizes the impact of mental and physical symptoms on the quality of life for patients with AIH.
Romée Snijders (1992) earned her Master’s degree in Medicine from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in 2019. During her PhD research on autoimmune hepatitis, she led the CAMARO trial and international studies. Recently, she was listed among the top 100 healthcare professionals who have had a significant impact on Dutch healthcare over the past 100 years.