Coexistence of Addison-Biermer's anaemia with endocrine glands' dysfunctions

• Published in: Polskie archiwum medycyny wewne̦trznej Vol. 112; no. 5; p. 1311
• Main Authors: Kuliszkiewicz-Janus, Malgorzata, Bednarek-Tupikowska, Grazyna, Rózycka, Beata, Dereń, Izabela
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Polish
• Published: Poland 01.11.2004
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Anemia, Pernicious - complications; Anemia, Pernicious - diagnosis; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Polyendocrinopathies, Autoimmune - complications; Polyendocrinopathies, Autoimmune - diagnosis
• ISSN: 1897-9483

Addison-Biermer's anaemia is an autoimmune disease. It may coexist with other auto-aggressive diseases, precede them or join the other existing autoimmune diseases. It most often accompanies the Hashimoto disease but also may coexist polyglandular autoimmune syndrome (PGA). Three types of PGA are distinguished: PGA1--Blizzard's Syndrome, PGA2--Schmidt's Syndrome, and PGA3. The latter, unlike the remaining ones, is characterized by normal function of adrenal glands. Addison-Biermer's anaemia occurrence may be often difficult to diagnose as coexisting illnesses might ouflage its clinical symptoms. The aim of this paper was to analyse patients with different types of PGA with coexisting Addison-Biermer's anaemia. Group of 24 individuals was analysed: 2 women with PGA1, 10 patients with PGA2, 10 patients with PGA3. In 2 remaining ones PGA was not confirmed. Addison-Biermer's anaemia occurred in 7 patients (2 with PGA2 and 5 with PGA3 syndrome). Decreased concentration of vitamin B12 was diagnosed in 3 individuals among 24 examined patients (1 with type 3 and 2 with type 2), as well in 2 patients with unconfirmed PGA. Addison-Biermer's anaemia was not observed in patients with PGA1. We observed that megaloblastic anaemia occurred characteristic schedule depending on appearance of autoimmune diseases: in PGA2--many years after other immunopathies were found, in PGA3--as first auto-aggressive disease. Our analysis suggests the necessity of detailed check-ups on patients with Addison-Biermer's anaemia, as with time they may develop other diseases, especially hypothyroidism and/or PGA failure. On the contrary, in individuals with thyroid gland diseases and PGA syndromes further checkups should be megaloblastic anaemia-sensitive. In both cases it is important to consider substitutive treatment. The possibility of family coexisting both pernicious anaemia and autoimmune endocrinopathies needs diagnostics of members of the patient's family.