title: The unusual association of Graves' disease, chronic spontaneous urticaria, and premature ovarian failure: report of a case and HLA haplotype characterization.
abstract: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), defined as the occurrence of spontaneous wheals for more than six weeks, has been associated with autoimmune diseases. Herein, we report the unusual association of CSU, Graves' disease, and premature ovarian failure. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) studies were performed. A 36-year-old woman presented symptoms and signs of hyperthyroidism for three months. In the same period, the patient complained of widespread urticarial wheals, intensely itchy, and poorly responsive to therapy with antihistaminic agents. Hyperthyroidism was confirmed biochemically, and treatment with methimazole was started. As hyperthyroidism improved, a marked improvement in her urticaria was also observed. However, the patient continued to complain of amenorrhea. Endocrine evaluation, at the age 38, was consistent with premature ovarian failure. This is the first report of coexistence of GD, CSU, and POF. The genetic background of such unusual association is a specific combination of HLA.
authors.forename: Rosaria Maddalena
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Ruggeri
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vita
authors.forename: Anna Grazia
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: D'Angelo
authors.forename: Paolina
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Quattrocchi
authors.forename: Rosaria
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Certo
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Benvenga
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cannavò
authors.forename: Sebastiano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gangemi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006239:Haplotypes / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016649:Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors; D014581:Urticaria / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens