title: Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 2 induced by treatment with interferon alpha.
abstract: Interferon α therapy has been reported to result in a variety of autoimmune side effects and to increase the risk of thyroid dysfunction. Autoimmune polyglandular syndromes are rarely described conditions characterized by the combination of at least 2 autoimmune endocrinopathies and nonendocrine autoimmunopathies, differing in the immunologic features of their pathogenesis. In light of research carried out in recent years, it seems that autoimmune polyendocrine syndromes occur much more frequently than previously estimated. In this article, the authors describe autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 2 composed of autoimmune thyroid disease, Addison's disease and premature ovarian failure in a 37-year old woman after treatment of hairy cell leukemia with interferon α. Because of the underlying disorder, interferon α treatment had to be continued, and therefore the patient was prescribed with levothyroxine, hydrocortisone, fludrocortisone and oral contraceptives. Termination of interferon α therapy was associated with a spontaneous normalization of thyroid and adrenal functions, and therefore levothyroxine, hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone treatment was withdrawn.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland. r.krysiak@interia.pl
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Krysiak
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boldys
authors.forename: Boguslaw
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Okopien
mesh_terms: D000309:Adrenal Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005438:Fludrocortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007943:Leukemia, Hairy Cell / Q000188:drug therapy; D016884:Polyendocrinopathies, Autoimmune / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016649:Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D012074:Remission Induction; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D013974:Thyroxine; D005438:Fludrocortisone; D006854:Hydrocortisone