Autoimmune manifestations in patients with primary immunodeficiency

Primary immunodeficiency comprises a heterogeneous group of disorders. Autoimmune and/or rheumatic manifestations are not uncommon in these patients. It may be the first and/or sole sign before the underlying disease is established. This study focuses on the children of primary immunodeficiency with autoimmune disease to survey the clinical and laboratory finding retrospectively. From January 1985 to June 1998, ten patients (M:F = 9:1) of primary immunodeficiency with at least one well defined autoimmune disease were identified. The underlying immunodeficiency included three with Bruton's disease, three with common variable immunodeficiency, one with hyper-IgM, one with primary CD4 T-cell deficiency and two with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome. The autoimmune manifestations include arthritis in six, ulcerative colitis in one, and autoimmune hemolytic anemia in three children. The major treatment was steroid and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug. Infection could be controlled with antibiotics and intravenous immunoglobulin in all save one. The morbidity among these patients included bronchiectasis with pulmonary hypertension in three, joint stiffness, short stature, and delayed puberty in two. In conclusion, autoimmune diseases are frequently seen in patients with primary immunodeficiency. It could be the first and/or sole sign of disease. The possibility of immunodeficiency should be kept in mind when evaluating patients with autoimmune diseases.