Duggal Shivangini, Botros Monica, Zaw Emerald, Mahapatra Swati, Guzman Jesus, Garrison Keith, Mccallum Richard
Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, El Paso, TX.
ACG Case Rep J. 2025 Apr 25;12(5):e01686. doi: 10.14309/crj.0000000000001686. eCollection 2025 May.
Triple A syndrome (TAS) is a rare disorder inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. It is characterized by the triad of alacrimia, achalasia, and adrenal insufficiency. It is caused by mutations in the gene (achalasia-addisonianism-alacrima syndrome), which disrupts the protein ALADIN (Alacrima-Achalasia-Adrenal insufficiency Neurologic disorder protein), which plays an important role in nucleocytoplasmic transport and cellular stress response. Unlike the presented cases, most patients with TAS present in early childhood with various symptoms including dry eyes, difficulty swallowing, and recurrent infections in addition to signs of adrenal crisis such as hypotension, hypoglycemia, and hyperpigmentation. Diagnosis can be achieved by genetic testing, revealing the mutations in the gene. Management of TAS mainly focuses on addressing each condition separately such as prescribing artificial tears for alacrimia, glucocorticoid replacement therapy for adrenal insufficiency, and performing pneumatic dilation or surgical intervention for achalasia. Early diagnosis is crucial for improving quality of life and minimizing the morbidity and mortality linked to the syndrome.
三A综合征(TAS)是一种罕见的常染色体隐性遗传疾病。其特征为无泪、贲门失弛缓症和肾上腺功能不全三联征。它由(贲门失弛缓症 - 艾迪生病 - 无泪综合征)基因突变引起,该突变会破坏蛋白质ALADIN(无泪 - 贲门失弛缓症 - 肾上腺功能不全神经疾病蛋白),而这种蛋白质在核质运输和细胞应激反应中起重要作用。与所呈现的病例不同,大多数三A综合征患者在幼儿期发病,除了出现肾上腺危象的体征如低血压、低血糖和色素沉着外,还伴有各种症状,包括干眼、吞咽困难和反复感染。通过基因检测发现该基因突变可实现诊断。三A综合征的治疗主要侧重于分别处理每种病症,例如为无泪症开具人工泪液、为肾上腺功能不全进行糖皮质激素替代治疗,以及为贲门失弛缓症进行气囊扩张或手术干预。早期诊断对于改善生活质量以及将与该综合征相关的发病率和死亡率降至最低至关重要。