The endocrinologic associations of the autoimmune rheumatic diseases

Pancreatic autoantibodies and pancreatic function in Sjögren's syndrome

“…The frequency of diabetes was not increased in the patient group relative to the prevalance in the general population. This observation confirms that patients with SS do not have an increased prevalence of diabetes [9]. Moreover, ICA.…”

“…were absent in the SS patients. The frequency of thyroid antibodies was low compared to that of other materials [9], which might reflect ethnic differences.…”

“…In addition to multiple secretory abnormalities, SS patients may show, in the absence of clinical symptoms, laboratory evidence of exocrine pancreatic dysfunction [ 5-81. Endocrine pancreatic function, however, appears to be unchanged in SS; the frequency of diabetes mellitus in SS patients is the same as that in the general population [9].…”

Giant cell arteritis—part of a spectrum of autoimmune disease?

“…8 Gordon and Isenberg suggest that there is an overlap between polmyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and GCA with autoimmune thyroid dysfunction. 9 Dent and Edwards, 10 in their series of 250 patients with autoimmune thyroiditis, noted PMR or GCA in 2.8% of patients. Gagnerie et al 11 report PBC, GCA, and PMR in a single patient.…”

Rheumatic disorders in adults under 50

“…The patient may have clubbing, suggestive of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy; synovial thickening secondary to myxedematous infiltration, resembling rheumatoid arthritis; or even an increased serum CK level, as in polymyositis. 14 The arthritis of systemic lupus erythematosus, a major manifestation of this disease, may easily be confused with early rheumatoid arthritis. Although a less common disease than rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus is being recognized in milder forms in increasing numbers of patients.…”