Endocrine complications in primary immunodeficiency diseases

Abstract

Experimental and clinical data suggest a complex interaction between the endocrine and immune systems. However, only few epidemiological studies are available dealing with endocrine complications in different types of primary immunodeficiency diseases. It is well documented that there is a close association between immunodeficiency syndromes and the development of autoimmune disorders. Most of the endocrine dysfunctions are caused mainly by immune dysregulation and autoimmunity like in APECED (autoimmune polyendocrinopathy, candidiasis, ectodermal dystrophy) and IPEX (immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked) syndromes. In these disorders, an immunologically mediated destructive process by autoreactive T cells damages multiple endocrine organs like the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal cortex and endocrine pancreas. In some other forms of immunodeficiencies, like Di George syndrome, endocrine disturbances are mainly caused by the underlying genetic disorders but autoimmunity may also take part in the process. The aim of this paper is to give an overview of the different forms of endocrine disturbances and their pathological background in APECED and IPEX syndromes, Di George syndrome and ataxia telangiectasia. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(49): 2065-2072.