Overview
A combination of endocrine and nonendocrine autoimmune diseases causing increased thyroid secretion and thyroid gland enlargement.
Autoimmune polyglandular syndromes (APS)
The three types of APS are:
APS I: autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy (APECED)
Characterized by hypoparathyroidism, Addison's disease, and chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis
APS II: Schmidt Syndrome
Characterized by diabetes mellitus type 1, Addison's disease, autoimmune hypothyroidism/Hashimoto’s
APS III: autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 3
Characterized by autoimmune thyroiditis and either, diabetes mellitus type 1, pernicious anemia, vitiligo, and/or alopecia areata
Common Symptoms
Symptoms vary according to the type:
- APS I: oral thrush, diaper rash, cramping, spasms, weakness, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, low blood pressure, and dehydration.
- APS II: frequent urination, extreme thirst, constant hunger, weight loss, itching of the skin, changes in vision, low blood pressure, severe dehydration, enlarged thyroid gland in the neck, dull facial expression, puffiness and swelling around the eyes, and drooping eyelids.
- APS III: puffy face, fatigue, enlarged thyroid gland in neck, puffiness and swelling around the eyes, drooping eyelids, weakness, extreme hunger, blurry vision, weight loss, shortness of breath, pins and needles sensations, patchy loss of skin color, and hair loss.
Coexisting Diseases and Conditions
Type 1 diabetes, Graves’ disease, Hashimoto thyroiditis, Addison’s disease, vitiligo, alopecia areata, hypogonadism, autoimmune liver disease, and pernicious anemia.
Risk Factors and Prevalence
Genetic factors have been associated with all three APS. Females have also been found to be more affected in APS II and APS III.
Recent Research
- Type 3 autoimmune polyglandular syndrome (APS-3) or type 3 multiple autoimmune syndrome (MAS-3): an expanding galaxy (2023)
- Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 2 and recurrent depression (2023)
- Oral manifestations of autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1 (2022)
- Secondary membranous nephropathy associated to autoimmune polyglandular syndrome Type II (2023)
Sources
- Article Sources
Anyfantakis, D., Symvoulakis, E. K., Vourliotaki, I., & Kastanakis, S. (2013). Schmidt’s syndrome presenting as a generalised anxiety disorder: a case report. Journal of medicine and life, 6(4), 451–453.
Dittmar, M., & Kahaly, G. J. (2003). Polyglandular Autoimmune Syndromes: Immunogenetics and Long-Term Follow-Up. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 88(7), 2983–2992. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2002-021845.
Michels, A., Gottlieb, P. Autoimmune polyglandular syndromes. Nat Rev Endocrinol 6, 270–277 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2010.40.
Sperling, M. A. (2021, April 10). Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndromes. Endotext [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279152/.