Abstract: Objective To investigate the clinical features of acute hepatitis E (AHE) and the risk factors for severe jaundice and liver failure.Methods In the retrospective study, a total of 236 patient with AHE in our hospital from 2011 to 2014 were enrolled. To analyze risk factors for severe jaundice with AHE, patients were divided into 4 groups according to total bilirubin (TBil) levels (Group 1:TBil<34 μmol/L, Group 2:34 ≤ TBil<85 μmol/L, Group 3:85 ≤ TBil<170 μmol/L, Group 4:TBil ≥ 170 μmol/L). Additionally, patients with severe jaundice (TBil ≥ 170 μmol/L) were divided into liver failure group and non-liver failure group according to the prothrombin time activity (PTA ≤ 40%) for analyzing the risk factors for hepatitis E virus (HEV)-induced liver failure.Results Severe jaundice tended to occur in elderly male patients (P<0.01). Patients with history of alcohol and biliary stone showed higher level of bilirubin (P<0.05). Meanwhile, high level of bilirubin was associated with white blood cell (WBC), blood platelet (PLT) and pre-albumin. Furthermore, patients with cirrhosis, biliary stone or infection were significantly increased in liver failure group (P<0.05). Cirrhosis was a risk factor for HEV-induced liver failure.Conclusion Several factors were involved in the progression of AHE. Cirrhosis, biliary stone and bacterial infection were risk factors for AHE-induced liver failure.

Key words: Acute hepatitis E, Severe jaundice, Liver failure, Clinical features, Risk factor