A new combination of multiple autoimmune syndrome? Coexistence of vitiligo, autoimmune thyroid disease and ulcerative colitis

Abstract

The occurrence of three or more autoimmune disorders in one patient defines multiple autoimmune syndrome. The pathogenesis of multiple autoimmune syndrome is not known yet and environmental triggers and genetic susceptibility have been suggested to be involved. Herein, we report a 47-year-old woman who had Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, vitiligo and newly diagnosed ulcerative colitis. Diagnosis of ulcerative colitis was confirmed with histopathologic examination. This case presents a new combination of multiple autoimmune syndrome.

Introduction

A multiple autoimmune syndrome (MAS) consists of three or more well-defined autoimmune conditions in the same patient. It was first proposed by Humbert in 1988 and described with increasing frequency.¹ Although exact pathogenesis of the syndrome is obscure, environmental triggers and genetic susceptibility may be involved.²

Case Report

A 47-year-old woman who had Hashimoto’s thyroiditis for 26 years and vitiligo for 37 years presented to gastroenterology service of our hospital with bloody diarrhea for three months. Dermatological examination showed multiple depigmented macules and patches on her trunk and extremities (Figure 1). Colonoscopy revealed a hemorrhagic edematous mucosa of the colon. Histopathological examination disclosed superficial ulceration and numerous crypt abscesses, and mixed leukocytic infiltrates in lamina propria (Figure 2). A diagnosis of rectosigmoid ulcerative colitis was established by colonoscopy and histopathological examination.

Figure 1.

Depigmented patches on the back.

Figure 2.

Crypt abscesses and mixed leukocyt-ic infiltrates in lamina propria (H&E, ×10).

Discussion

Autoimmune disorders are conditions in which there is the development of antibodies against self-cells. Multiple autoimmune syndrome is defined as a combination of at least three autoimmune diseases in the same patient. MAS can be classified into three subtypes in which certain disorders frequently occur together (Table 1).^2,3 HLA-B8, -DR3 or -DR5 have been suggested to be an important factor for subtype 3. Acquired primary hypogonadism, hypophysitis, romatoid arthritis, relapsing polychondritis, multiple sclerosis, CAH, ulcerative colitis, and scleroderma have been reported to be associated with MAS subtype 3.^1,2

Table 1. Classification of multiple autoimmune syndrome.

MAS Type 1	MAS Type 2	MAS Type 3
Thymoma	Rheumatoid arthritis	Autoimmune thyroid disease
Myasthenia gravis	Sjögren’s syndrome	Myasthenia
Polymyositis	Pemphigus vulgaris	Thymoma
Giant cell myocarditis	Primary biliary cirrhosis	Sjögren’s syndrome, pernicious anemia
Pemphigus vulgaris	Scleroderma	Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
Bullous pemphigoid	Autoimmune thyroid disease	Addison’s disease
		Insulin-dependent diabetes
		Vitiligo
		Autoimmune
		Hemolytic anemia
		Systemic lupus erythematosus
		Dermatitis herpetiformis

The pathogenesis of MAS is not clear yet. Environmental triggers and genetic susceptibility have been proposed to be involved.^2,4,5 Autoimmunity has been proposed to be a prominent factor for inflammatory bowel diseases.⁶ Snook et al. found that at least one autoimmune disorder was present in 7% of the patients with ulcerative colitis and 2% of the controls.⁷

Our patient had autoimmune thyroid disease, vitiligo and ulcerative colitis. Although this combination of autoimmune disorders has not been reported before this case presents a new association that meets the requirements for the diagnosis of MAS. We suggest that this combination should be included in MAS subtype 3.