title: Association of pelvic endometriosis with alopecia universalis, autoimmune thyroiditis and multiple sclerosis.
abstract: An adult Caucasian female developed a previously unreported association of pelvic endometriosis (PE) with the triad of alopecia universalis (AU), autoimmune thyroiditis (AT) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Molecular human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-tissue typing of this subject showed the presence of the DR(2) 15 and DR(3) 17 alleles, which are associated to an increased risk of MS and AT, respectively. Clinical onset of AT followed withdrawal of corticosteroid treatment for AU, whereas MS become clinically evident after withdrawal from long-term estroprogestin therapy for PE. This clinical case is presented to discuss the autoimmune origin of PE, its possible association with multiple autoimmune disorders as well as the effect of other factors, such as administration and/ or discontinuation of specific hormonal regimens, on genetic autoimmunity-prone background.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecological, Obstetric, and Urological Sciences and Medicine of Reproduction, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, National Research Council (IEOS-CNR), Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alviggi
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Carrieri
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pivonello
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Scarano
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pezzella
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Placido
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Colao
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Matarese
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000505:Alopecia / Q000150:complications*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006728:Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics; D013967:Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D006728:Hormones