US EditionPublished • loading... • Updated
There Are More than 100 Autoimmune Diseases, and They Mostly Strike Women. Here's What to Know
Women represent about 80% of autoimmune disease cases, which involve over 100 chronic illnesses caused by immune system attacks on the body's tissues.
- Autoimmune diseases comprise more than 100 chronic illnesses, affecting tens of millions worldwide with women making up about 4 of 5 patients.
- Scientists point to genetic susceptibility combined with environmental triggers such as infections, smoking, or pollutants, and loss of immune tolerance, while sex-based biology including two X chromosomes in females also contributes.
- Often, diagnosis starts with vague symptoms that come and go, as many autoimmune diseases mimic other illnesses; patients undergo multiple tests and see several doctors before diagnosis, with diseases like Sjögren's disease, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, and lupus affecting different organs.
- Treatment has shifted from broad suppression to targeted molecular therapies, with dozens of clinical trials testing immune reprogramming and the global market valued at $100 billion a year.
- The National MS Society is pushing updated guidelines to streamline multiple sclerosis diagnosis, noting lupus is higher in Black and Hispanic women while Northern Europeans have greater MS risk; VEXAS syndrome, discovered in 2020, affects men over 50.
Insights by Ground AI
19 Articles
19 Articles
The Hamilton Spectator+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
There are more than 100 autoimmune diseases, and they mostly strike women. Here’s what to know
Our immune system has a dark side: It’s supposed to fight off invaders to keep us healthy. But sometimes it turns traitor and attacks our own cells and tissues.
·Hamilton, Canada
Read Full Article
Associated Press News+14 Reposted by 14 other sources
There are more than 100 autoimmune diseases, and they mostly strike women. Here's what to know
Autoimmune diseases can affect just about every part of the body – and tens of millions of people. While most common in women, these diseases can strike anyone, adults or children, and they’re on the rise.
·United States
Read Full Article
Coverage Details
Total News Sources19
Leaning Left6Leaning Right0Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Center
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources are Center
57% Center
L 43%
C 57%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
