RESUMO
Los síndromes poliendocrinos autoinmunes (APS) asocian enfermedades endocrinas autoinmunes con otros desórdenes autoinmunes no endocrinos. El APS tipo II se caracteriza por compromiso primario suprarrenal, tiroideo y/o DM tipo I. Presentamos un paciente masculino de 46 años que fue internado por astenia, adinamia, hiporexia, severa disminución de peso, mareos y vómitos. Antecedente de obesidad y diabetes diagnosticada 3 años antes. Presentaba hipotensión arterial, hiperpigmentación de mucosas y pliegues, anemia, hiponatremia e hipoglucemias frecuentes a pesar de la disminución de la dosis de insulina. Se diagnosticó insuficiencia suprarrenal, concomitantemente con hipotiroidismo y diabetes tipo 1, todas de origen autoinmune, iniciándose reemplazo hormonal. Se encontró una posible asociación del HLA DRB1*-DQB1* en los estudios genéticos. Conclusiones: Nuestro paciente presenta el HLA DQB1*0302 descripto en el APSII, pero el HLA DRB1 *08 encontrado no está descripto en este síndrome ni en ningún otro desorden autoinmune. En pacientes con Diabetes tipo 1 que disminuyan el requerimiento insulínico, habría que descartar insuficiencia suprarrenal, un componente del APS II, como factor etiológico, a pesar de su baja prevalencia.
Autoimmune polyendocrine syndromes (APS) are the association of autoimmune endocrine diseases with other non-endocrine autoimmune disorders. Type II APS is defined by occurrence of Addison´s disease with thyroid autoimmune disease and/or type 1 diabetes mellitus. We present a 46-year-old male patient who was hospitalized because of asthenia, adynamia, hyporexia, severe loss of weight, dizziness and vomiting. Diabetes mellitus had been diagnosed 3 years earlier when he was obese. He presented arterial hypotension, anemia, darkening of the skin and oral mucosa, hyponatremia and frequent hypoglycemia although his insulin dose was decreased. Adrenal insufficiency was diagnosed together with hypothyroidism and type 1 diabetes, all of them of autoimmune origin. Hormonal replacement treatment was initiated. Genetic studies were performed and a new polymorphism was found. Conclusions: HLA DRB1 *08 found in our patient has not been described in APS II or in any other autoimmune disorders. He also has HLA DQB1*0302 described in previous reports related to APS II. In type 1 diabetic patients whose insulin requirement decreases, it would be advisable to rule out adrenal insufficiency, a component of APS II, as an etiologic factor in spite of its low prevalence. In diabetic obese patients (mainly young) who lose weight without a defined cause, type 1 diabetes mellitus should be excluded.