Selective immunoglobulin E deficiency and its association with autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases.

Background

Selective immunoglobulin E deficiency (sIgED) is a rare condition characterized by low serum IgE levels with normal levels of other immunoglobulin classes. The prevalence of sIgED varies considerably across populations, with a higher prevalence observed in clinical settings. Studies report sIgED prevalence that ranges up to 9.7% in patients attending rheumatology clinics, 8.1% in allergy/immunology clinics, and 2.6% in healthy blood donors. Its role in immune regulation and association with autoimmune and autoinflammatory disorders remains poorly understood.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between sIgED and immune-mediated diseases by hypothesizing that sIgED may predispose individuals to an increased prevalence of these conditions.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 3692 patients at a tertiary care center between November 2018 and December 2023. Patients with IgE levels ≤2.5 IU/mL and normal levels of other immunoglobulin classes were classified as having sIgED, whereas those with IgE levels >2.5 IU/mL served as controls. Autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases were identified by using medical records and International Classification of Diseases codes. Statistical analyses were performed to compare the prevalence of these conditions between the groups.

Results

The prevalence of autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases was significantly higher in the sIgED group versus controls (25.2% versus 15.6%; p < 0.001). Conditions such as Hashimoto thyroiditis, vitiligo, familial Mediterranean fever, and Behçet disease were disproportionately observed in patients with sIgED. Demographic characteristics, including age and gender, were not significantly different between the groups (p = 0.171 and p = 0.257, respectively).

Conclusion

The sIgED is associated with a higher prevalence of autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases, which underscores its potential role in immune dysregulation. This finding highlights the need for further prospective, multicenter studies to validate these associations, elucidate underlying mechanisms, and explore potential clinical implications of IgE deficiency in immune-mediated pathologies.