Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome, type 3 is a condition characterized by the coexistence of autoimmune thyroiditis and at least one other autoimmune disease (excluding Addison's Disease). Based on other organ-specific autoimmune involvement, there are multiple subtypes that are classified: type 3a shows thyroid autoimmune disease in conjunction with type 1 diabetes, type 3b shows thyroid autoimmune disease in conjunction with pernicious anemia (PA), and type 3c shows thyroid autoimmune disease in conjunction with alopecia, vitiligo, or other organ-specific autoimmune disease.
Related Conditions The hallmark of autoimmune polyglandular syndromes (APS) is the existence of autoimmune reactions directed against multiple endocrine and non-endocrine organs. There have been described as four primary types:
APS-1 [Autoimmune-Polyendocrine-Candidiasis-Ectodermal-Dystrophy Syndrome (APECED)]: Chronic hypoparathyroidism, autoimmune Addison's disease, and chronic candidiasis (two conditions must exist for the term to be used). APS-2 (Schmidt's disease): Autoimmune Addison's disease (constantly present), in conjunction with either type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) or autoimmune thyroid disease. APS-3: Type 1 diabetes, atrophic gastritis, pernicious anemia, vitiligo, alopecia, and myasthenia gravis, and autoimmune thyroid disease; Addison's disease and/or hypoparathyroidism are not included in this association. APS-4: Combinations that weren't in the earlier groups.
Signs and symptoms Most patients with autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 3 have autoimmune thyroid diseases associated with only one other autoimmune disease; these associations are most frequently with either type 1 diabetes (20–30% of cases) or chronic atrophic gastritis (39 percent of cases). Other disorders associated with autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 3 are pernicious anemia, vitiligo, alopecia, and myasthenia gravis.
Epidemiology Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome, type 3 has a frequency of 1.4 to 2 per 100,000 people, with no discernible ethnic group preference.
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