Quality of Life, Anxiety, and Depression in Patients with Autoimmune Hepatitis: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Mexican Cohort

Abstract Purpose To describe the health-related quality of life, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms in a Mexican cohort of people with autoimmune hepatitis and to analyze the differences in these outcomes according to biochemical remission status. Methods This cross-sectional study included adults assessed between March and June 2026. Participants completed the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire, and 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder questionnaire. Scores were compared by biochemical remission status. Correlation analyses and multiple linear regression were performed. Results Fifty patients were included (mean age, 53.2 ± 12.3 years; 78% women); 62% were in complete biochemical remission. General health had the lowest mean quality-of-life score (40.6 ± 15.7). Clinically significant depressive and anxiety symptoms were present in 40% and 24%, respectively. Patients in remission had higher physical functioning (70.0 ± 24.4 vs. 53.4 ± 32.1; p = 0.044) and social functioning scores (71.0 ± 22.7 vs. 55.3 ± 22.9; p = 0.022). Depressive and anxiety symptom scores did not differ significantly between groups and correlated inversely with several quality-of-life domains. Conclusion Depressive and anxiety symptoms were prevalent in this Mexican cohort. Higher physical and social functioning scores were associated with biochemical remission, but no significant changes in affective symptom scores were seen. These exploratory results support the assessment of patient-reported outcomes alongside biochemical control of disease.