Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndrome Type 2, Alopecia Universalis, and Crohn's Disease
June 2012
in “
Journal of Crohn s and Colitis
”
TLDR Managing multiple autoimmune diseases in one patient is extremely challenging.
A 33-year-old male with a history of Crohn's colitis diagnosed in childhood experienced sudden hair loss in 2003, leading to a diagnosis of alopecia universalis. At age 28, he was hospitalized with severe dehydration and ketoacidosis, revealing diabetes mellitus type 1. In 2005, he had a severe relapse of Crohn's disease and was treated with systemic corticosteroids. Despite initial improvement, he developed fatigue, hypotension, and bradycardia, leading to a diagnosis of Hashimoto thyroiditis and adrenal cortex failure. Managing his diabetes, hypothyroidism, adrenal insufficiency, and Crohn's disease proved extremely challenging despite intensive treatment.