@Article{Malicka2017,
journal="Family Medicine \& Primary Care Review",
issn="1734-3402",
volume="19",
number="3",
year="2017",
title="Preliminary study of Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndrome (APS). Are they solely an endocrinological problem?",
abstract=" Background . Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndrome (APS) forms a heterogeneous group of rare, genetically caused diseases, characterized by autoimmune activity against more than one endocrine organ, although non-endocrine organs can be also affected. APS was classified into four types. The two major types are APS-1 and APS-2.   Objectives . The aim of this study was to evaluate the type, number and sequence of appearance of autoimmune diseases forming different types of APS in own material.   Material and methods . The study involved 41 patients with APS (32 F; 9 M), aged 19–72 years (mean 45.2 ± 13.5). The authors analyzed medical histories and the results of additional tests.   Results . In the entire group of patients, as well as in each type of APS, women predominated. The most frequently diagnosed type of APS, confirmed in 51.2% of patients, was APS-2. APS-3 accounted for 41.5% of APS. The most rarely observed, present in 7.3% of  patients, was APS-1. The most common pathology was autoimmune thyroid disease, followed by Addison’s disease, and third – type 1 diabetes. The majority of patients (58.5%) were diagnosed with only two coexisting disorders, mainly Addison’s disease and thyroid  disease. In 36.6% of patients, three diseases were recognized, while four autoimmune disorders were discovered in only two women (4.9%). The onsets of consecutive autoimmune diseases in individual patients from study group were spread in time and spanned up to 29 years maximum.   Conclusions . If the patient exhibits autoimmune disorders, the suspicion of a further autoimmune disease should be present. A family history of autoimmune disease is also very helpful. A patient with APS needs life-long replacement therapy and observation by a family  doctor, endocrinologist and other specialists to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment and detect new components of the syndrome.",
author="Malicka, Joanna Elżbieta
and Kurowska, Maria
and Kiszczak-Bochyńska, Ewa
and Dudzińska, Marta
and Malicka, Ewa
and Tarach, Jerzy S.",
pages="239--242",
doi="10.5114/fmpcr.2017.69284",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.5114/fmpcr.2017.69284"
}