Background: Allgrove syndrome (triple A syndrome) is a rare autosomal recessive multisystem disease characterized by adrenal insufficiency, alacrimia and achalasia. It is caused by a mutation in the AAAS gene (12q13) encoding the protein ALADIN (1). This syndrome is often associated with neurological dysfunction disorders, amyotrophy, in such cases, it is named 4A and 5A syndrome, but sometimes there is also 2A syndrome. Prevalence:<1/1000000. The first description was in 1978. Clinical case: A 18-year patient A. complained of fatigue, weakness, darkening of the skin. From anamnesis of life: born from the first pregnancy without complications, weight 3200g. Parents often turned to the pediatrician with complaints: lethargy, frequent regurgitation, ARVI up to 6–7 times a year. Slow weight gain, dyspeptic syndrome (nausea, vomiting) was noted objectively. At the age of 3, the boy entered the surgical department with acute abdomen, fever, vomiting. Achalasia was revealed, reconstructive surgery was carried out. In the diagnostic search for the causes of body weight loss he was directed to the endocrinologist. There were an increase in ACTH 470 pg/ml (0,0-46 pg/ml), cortisol 0.05 µg/DL. Diagnosis: primary chronic adrenal insufficiency; the dose of hydrocortisone 10 mg/day did not change with age. An in-depth anamnesis found: the patient never cried with tears. Objectively: asthenic body type, BMI 16.5 kg/m2, hyperpigmentation of the palms, armpits; weakness in the proximal muscles of the limbs. Laboratory studies: ACTH 95 PG/ml, cortisol 0.1 µg/DL (3.7–19.4 µg/DL). The secretion of mineralocorticoids was evaluated: plasma aldosterone and renin levels were within the reference values. Ophthalmologist: injected conjunctiva, sclera. Schirmer’s test: mild alacrimia. It allowed to make the diagnosis: “Primary chronic adrenal insufficiency. Condition after surgery for achalasia (1997). Alacrimia. Allgrove Syndrome.” The dose of hydrocortisone was increased to 17.5 mg/day. In 2019, the patient complained of a sharp deterioration of health, darkening of the skin. The dose of hydrocortisone was increased to 25 mg/day (15 mg at 8.00, 10 mg in the afternoon). The ophthalmologist noted an increase in the severity of alacrimia, artificial tear drops was recommended. The diagnosis was confirmed by pathogenic mutation c.43C>T of the AAAS gene. Discussion: Despite the full clinical picture, the right diagnosis was made only after 14 years. We shown the difficulty of diagnosis is due to the lack of awareness of clinicians about the disease, the importance of interdisciplinary interaction, as well as the need for follow-up of such patients. Reference: (1) Handschug K, Sperling S, Yoon SJ, et al. Triple A syndrome is caused by mutations in AAAS, a new WD-repeat protein gene. Human Molecular Genetics. 2001;10:283–290.
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Nov 3, 2023
L Udochkina + 1
Open Access