Polyglandular autoimmune (PGA) syndromes: report of three cases and review of the literature

Abstract

Polyglandular autoimmune (PGA) syndrome is caused by autoimmune process in multiple endocrine glands. This usually results in endocrine gland hypofunction, except for the thyroid gland, in which both hyper or hypofunction may occur. The syndrome can be classified into two types, type I and type II, each with distinct clinical characteristics. We report three cases of PGA syndromes. The first patient had type I PGA syndrome, characterized by hypoparathyrodism, primary adrenal insufficiency and primary ovarian failure. She also had chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, which is the distinct feature in this syndrome. The second patient had type II PGA syndrome, with primary adrenal insufficiency, Hashimoto's thyroiditis and primary ovarian failure. She also had widespread vitilgo. The last patient also had type II PGA syndrome. She had insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, Graves' disease and alopecia areata.