Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy

A group of rare endocrine diseases characterized by autoimmune activity against more than one endocrine organ, with possible additional involvement of non-endocrine organs. Autoimmunity is typically directed against different target antigens in different tissues. The two more common autoimmune polyendocrine syndromes (APS), APS type 1 and type 2, have a strong genetic background and have Addison's disease as a major feature. The group furthermore includes APS type 3 and type 4.