Introduction, Autoimmune diseases are chronic conditions initiated by the
loss of immunological tolerance to self-antigens. They constitute
heterogeneous group of disorders, in which multiple alterations in the immune
system result in a spectrum of syndromes that either target specific organs
or affect the body systematically. Recent epidemiological studies have shown
a possible shift of one autoimmune disease to another or the fact that more
than one autoimmune disease may coexist in a single patient or in the same
family. Numerous autoimmune diseases have been shown to coexist frequently
with thyroid autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune thyroid disease and other organ
specific non-endocrine autoimmune diseases. This part of the study reviews
the prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease coexisting with: pernicious
anaemia, vitiligo, celiac disease, autoimmune liver disease, miastenia
gravis, alopecia areata and sclerosis multiplex, and several recommendations
for screening have been given. Autoimmune thyroid disease and other organ
non-specific non-endocrine autoimmune diseases. Special attention is given to
the correlation between autoimmune thyroid disease and rheumatoid arthritis,
systemic lupus erythematosus, syndrome Sj?gren, systemic sclerosis and mixed
connective tissue disease. Conclusions. Screening for autoimmune thyroid
diseases should be recommended in everyday clinical practice, in patients
with primary organ-specific or organ non-specific autoimmune disease.
Other?wise, in patients with primary thyroid autoimmune disease, there is no
good reason of seeking for all other autoimmune diseases, although these
patients have a greater risk of developing other autoimmune disease. Economic
aspects of medicine require further analyzing of these data, from
cost/benefit point of view to justified either mandatory screening or medical
practitioner judgment.
Surgical Treatment is Effective in Treating Thymoma Accompanied with Non-Myasthenia Gravis Autoimmune Diseases: A Single-Center Clinical Experience
