Polyglandular Autoimmune Syndrome Type II in a Patient Presenting With Hypotension After Acute Illness

Introduction: Polyglandular Autoimmune Syndrome Type II (PAS-2) is a rare disorder characterized by two or more endocrine diseases (primary adrenal insufficiency, autoimmune thyroid disease, type 1 diabetes). Of these, the most common is autoimmune thyropathy, followed by Type 1 Diabetes (1). These endocrinopathies rarely have concurrent onset. This case reports a 22-year-old male, recently recovered from severe pneumonia, who presented to the Emergency Department in acute adrenal crisis and was diagnosed with PAS-2. Case: A 22-year-old male with past medical history of celiac disease presented with abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and dizziness for 1–2 weeks. Review of systems included a 20-pound weight loss over several months. Recent history included a hospitalization at another facility three weeks prior for pneumonia and septic shock requiring admission to the ICU and vasopressor treatment. He was not discharged on any medications. He was afebrile with heart rate of 105/min, blood pressure 78/48 mm Hg and BMI of 17.2. Physical exam revealed dry mucous membranes and mild diffuse abdominal tenderness. Skin was warm and dry without hyperpigmentation. Laboratory values included sodium 123 (135 - 146 mmol/L), potassium 6.8 (3.3 - 4.8 mmol/L), glucose 47 (70 - 100 mg/dL), TSH 37.67 (0.3 - 5.00 uIU/mL), and FT4 0.7 (0.7 - 1.7 ng/dL). He was started on fluids and intravenous hydrocortisone. Cortisol and ACTH levels drawn prior to the initiation of steroids resulted at 0.6 (6–20 mcg/dl) and 977 (9 - 46 pg/mL) respectively. Additional labs included: aldosterone < 1 ng/dL, 21 hydroxylase antibody positive, TPO antibody > 1000 (0 - 100 Units) and GAD-65 antibody > 47 IU/mL (<5 IU/mL). Levothyroxine was initiated after hydrocortisone. Blood glucose was elevated during hospitalization, peaking at 227 mg/dL. He was discharged on prednisone, fludrocortisone and levothyroxine. At 2 week follow up, he reported overall improvement in health and was pleased with a weight gain of 12 lbs. Blood glucose remained mildly elevated (123 - 143 mg/dL). Conclusion: The patient had pneumonia and septic shock septic at an outside hospital three weeks prior to presentation. There was no record of steroid administration or suspicion of adrenal insufficiency. We postulate that his severe illness contributed to significant depletion of his adrenal reserve, and therefore he presented to our facility a short time later in overt adrenal crisis. Adrenal crisis is unusual to be the first presentation of PAS-2. It is important to have a high index of suspicion for adrenal insufficiency and PAS-2 in patients presenting with severe illness or hypotension who have known autoimmune disorders. Reference: 1. Kahaly, G.J., Frommer, L. Polyglandular autoimmune syndromes. J Endocrinol Invest. 2018; 41: 91–98.

A rare simultaneous manifestation of polyglandular autoimmune syndrome type II

Summary Polyglandular autoimmune syndrome type II is a rare condition defined by the presence of autoimmune primary adrenal insufficiency along with autoimmune thyroid disease and/or type-I diabetes. Onset of these conditions will usually be separated by several years, though in rare instances it can occur simultaneously. This syndrome can also be associated with various non-endocrine autoimmune diseases, such as vitiligo and alopecia. Coeliac disease is less commonly associated with polyglandular autoimmune syndrome type II and is more commonly associated with polyglandular autoimmune syndrome type III. Here we describe an interesting case of a young male presenting with simultaneous manifestation of Addison’s disease and Graves, with coincident asymptomatic coeliac disease, as a rare manifestation of polyglandular autoimmune syndrome type II. Learning points: Polyglandular autoimmune syndrome type II is rare, has female predominance, and peak onset in the third and fourth decades of life. Onset of Addison’s disease will usually precede or follow onset of type-I diabetes or autoimmune thyroid disease by several years in this syndrome. Simultaneous onset can occur, as in this case. Coeliac disease is uncommonly associated with this syndrome. Coeliac disease is more commonly associated with polyglandular autoimmune syndrome type III. Coeliac disease should be screened for in patients with associated autoimmune conditions, such as type-I diabetes or autoimmune thyroid disease.

SAT-215 A Case of Polyglandular Autoimmune Syndrome

Background: Polyglandular autoimmune syndrome is defined by the presence of Addison’s disease, Autoimmune thyroid disease and Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Clinical Case: This is a case presentation of a 56 year old female with a multitude of endocrine disorders, classified as polyglandular autoimmune syndrome, type 2, persistently elevated ACTH levels. Over the years, the diagnoses of Primary Adrenal Insufficiency, Type 1 Diabetes, and Hypothyroidism, had revealed themselves, in this patient. Her initial diagnosis upon establishment into our clinic was Addison’s disease and hypothyroidism for which she was getting adequate treatment. Her clinical course had been complicated by multiple admissions for DKA, along with adrenal crises. Following the adrenal crisis, her ACTH levels had been noted to be persistently elevated, at 3362, despite hydrocortisone replacement at optimal dosing and normal AM cortisol levels. Her hyperpigmentation continued to worsen. A 1mg dexamethasone suppression test failed to lower the ACTH levels. Concern for a possible ectopic ACTH secretion prompted further investigation with imaging studies such as an abdominal Cat scan which showed no adrenal pathology. Pituitary MRI was ultimately performed which showed no evidence of pituitary lesions. These were following by an 8mg Dexamethasone suppression test which adequately decreased the ACTH level. However re-check of ACTH levels, after weeks of being on her physiological hydrocortisone dosing, showed that her ACTH levels had started to rise again. Given she had also had multiple admissions for adrenal crises, the concern was raised for possible malabsorption. Given her risk for auto-antibody development, there was concern for another autoimmune process such as Celiac disease, as a potential cause for malabsorption. Her TTG IgA antibodies were checked, however they were absent. At this point, the decision was made to use prednisone as a means of suppression of ACTH, and she was given three days of 40mg Prednisone daily, followed by ACTH level testing, which showed a decrease from 2009 to 708. These results prompted us to change her hydrocortisone to prednisone daily dosing instead, and we converted her to a slightly higher dose of Prednisone. In the setting of underlying DM, this may pose an additional challenge with glycemic control, but we plan for close clinic follow up and repeat ACTH levels a few weeks after she has been on the new prednisone regimen. Conclusion: This is a rare case of a patient with polyglandular autoimmune syndrome, type 2, with a persistently elevated ACTH level, requiring Prednisone, instead of hydrocortisone for treatment of primary adrenal insufficiency in efforts to reduce ACTH levels. References: Neufeld M, Maclaren NK, Blizzard RM, Two types of autoimmune Addison’s disease associated with different polyglandular autoimmune (PGA) syndromes. Medicine (Baltimore). 1981;60(5):355.

Reversible acral and mucosal hyperpigmentation in a patient with B12 deficiency secondary to polyglandular autoimmune syndrome type II

Reversible cutaneous hyperpigmentation often occurs in the setting of nutritional deficiencies and protein energy malnourishment, with atypical presentations arising from autoimmune disease. Here, we present a 52-year-old female with hypertension, type 1 diabetes, and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, under the diagnosis of polyglandular autoimmune syndrome type II, referred for evaluation of asymptomatic hyperpigmentation of the palms, soles, hard palate, and tongue for 6 months. The patient underwent a significant work-up, including esophagogastroduodenoscopy, which revealed hypertrophic gastropathy as well as evidence of acquired B12 deficiency secondary to pernicious anemia. The patient was initiated on B12 supplementation, with eventual resolution of mucocutaneous findings.

Primary Immunodeficiency with Severe Multi-Organ Immune Dysregulation

Polyglandular autoimmune syndrome type 1, also known as autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED), is a rare primary immunodeficiency disorder with multi-organ involvement. Besides for being predisposed to severe life-threatening infections, patients with APECED are also prone to organ impairment secondary to severe autoimmunity. As this is an autosomal recessive disorder, a biallelic mutation in the AIRE gene is responsible for APECED. The author presents a case of APECED with a single AIRE mutation. Whole exome sequencing identified a mutation in the BTNL2 gene that the author suggests may have contributed to the patient’s presentation.