Autoimmune diseases of the adrenal glands, parathyroid glands, gonads, and hypothalamic-pituitary axis.
Autoimmunity directed against the adrenal glands, parathyroid glands, gonads, and hypothalamic-pituitary axis can arise in isolation or as part of a polyglandular autoimmune syndrome. Affected patients can be asymptomatic, but they may also suffer significant morbidity or even mortality. Currently, treatment is restricted largely to hormone replacement when end-organ destruction is almost complete. As our understanding of the pathogenesis of autoimmune endocrinopathies improves, it is probable that early patient detection will become practical and trials of protective immunotherapies entertained.
Muir
A
A
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville.
Maclaren
N K
NK
D000224:Addison Disease / Q000503:physiopathology; D000307:Adrenal Gland Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000503:physiopathology; D007027:Hypothalamic Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007246:Infertility / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010279:Parathyroid Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010900:Pituitary Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016884:Polyendocrinopathies, Autoimmune / Q000503:physiopathology; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*