[Autoimmune polyglandular syndromes: clinical aspects]

The history of autoimmune polyglandular syndromes (APS) and the basic characteristics of types 1 and 2 are briefly introduced. The clinical aspects of the more common type 2 are discussed in more detail from the point of view of the endocrinological and diabetological practice. The diagnosis aspects of preclinical, subclinical and manifestation stage of the main diseases occurring along with APS are briefly mentioned as well as the treatments and their challenges cause by the combination of various endocrine and non-endocrine autoimmune diseases. It is emphasized that care for there patients is a life-long process and that the health condition of these patients is usually very complicated. In some cases the combination of various disease conditions can make these patients completely disabled.