Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia and Multiple Autoimmune Syndrome

Abstract

The presence of different autoimmune disorders in the same individual is called multiple autoimmune syndrome (MAS). One of these co-occurring conditions is autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA), which is characterized by the production of autoantibodies against red blood cells due to immune system malfunction and which results in severe tissue oxygenation disturbance. AIHA is not uncommon but occurs rarely in MAS; if it does, MAS is then classified as MAS type III. Herein, we describe a case of MAS type III including AIHA which was successfully treated with hydrocortisone with gradual resolution of symptoms. LEARNING POINTS The co-occurrence of multiple autoimmune disorders in the same individual is called multiple autoimmune syndrome (MAS). Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia is not uncommon but rarely occurs in MAS. The presence of one autoimmune disease should alert the physician to the possible presence of others.

Multiple autoimmune syndrome (vitiligo with Crohn’s disease and thyroid disease) in a single patient: A variant type

“…MAS is defined as the occurrence of at least three autoimmune diseases in the same patient [9]. The most frequent autoimmune diseases in such patients include dermatological conditions such as alopecia areata and vitiligo [10].…”