Pernicious anemia and endocrine glands antibodies

Introduction: The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of occurrence of antibodies participating in the development of endocrine diseases in patients with autoimmune hematopoietic disease, thus documenting the potential suitability of specific diagnostic and screening tests. Material and methods: The study group consisted of 124 persons (men and women) with newly diagnosed Pernicious Anemia (PA) and the control group (C) of 41 healthy people. Antibodies against: internal factor (IFAb), gastric parietal cells (APCA), thyroid peroxidase (TPOAb), thyroglobulin (TgAb), adrenal cortex (AdrenalAb) and pituitary anterior lobe (PituitaryAb) were determined in the blood. Results: 1. The chance/risk of the presence of antibodies against endocrine glands in patients with PA can be classified in order: TPOAb or/and TgAb 41.1%, TPOAb 36.3%, TgAb 25.0%, TPOAb and TgAb 20.2%, AdrenalAb 1.6%, PituitaryAb 0.8%. 2. TPOAb or/and TgAb (mainly TPOAb) are more frequently present in patients with PA who have IFAb or/and APCA. This correlation is most evident in patients with simultaneous occurrence IFAb and APCA. 3. Among patients with PA, the simultaneous presence of antibodies IFAb or/and APCA with TPOAb or/and TgAb antibodies is most likely in women over 45 years of age. 4. In group C, 12% had at least one of two antithyroid antibodies (twice as often as TgAb than TPOAb), and 2.4% both. AdrenalAb and PituitaryAb are not found in healthy. Conclusions: In patients with PA, a screening for autoimmune thyroid disease is justified, which should first involve the determination of TPOAb (further TgAb) in the blood. The assessment of antithyroid antibodies should be recommended primarily to patients with PA who have IFAb or/and APCA and in particular those with with concurrent IFAb and APCA.