APECED (Autoimmune Polyendocrinopathy Candidate with Hypopituitarism) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the presence of two or more of the following: hypoparathyroidism, Addison's disease, chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, and/or hypogonadism.
The International Consensus Criteria for the diagnosis of APECED were developed in 2005 and include:
Clinical Criteria
1. Hypoparathyroidism - The patient must have at least one clinical feature of hypoparathyroidism, such as hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, or hypocalciuria.
2. Addison's Disease - The patient must have at least one clinical feature of Addison's disease, such as hyperpigmentation, hypotension, or elevated urinary 17-ketosteroid levels.
3. Chronic Mucocutaneous Candidiasis - The patient must have at least one clinical feature of chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, such as oral candidiasis, skin lesions, or onychomycosis.
4. Hypogonadism - The patient must have at least one clinical feature of hypogonadism, such as amenorrhea, infertility, or low testosterone levels.
Laboratory Criteria
1. Autoantibodies - The patient must have at least one of the following autoantibodies: anti-thyroid peroxidase, anti-pituitary, anti-parietal cell, anti-islet cell, or autoantibodies against the adrenal cortex.
2. HLA Genes - The patient must have at least one of the following HLA genes: HLA-A2, HLA-B8, HLA-DR3, or HLA-DR4.
Treatment
Treatment for APECED typically includes hormone replacement therapy, immunosuppressive medications, and antifungal medications. Patients should be monitored regularly for signs of endocrine and autoimmune dysfunction.