HealthCentral: Women and Autoimmune Disease—By the Numbers
HealthCentral recently interviewed Mariko Ishimori, MD, a rheumatologist and assistant professor of Medicine at Cedars-Sinai, about autoimmune diseases and why they affect women more frequently—and often more severely—than men.
According to a recent study published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, 67% of autoimmune diagnoses are in women, and 18 out of the 20 most common autoimmune diseases—such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis and lupus—are more prevalent in women than in men.
Ishimori, who was not involved in the study, said chromosomal and hormonal differences likely explain why women are diagnosed with autoimmune disease more often than men. She said variations in immune system responses may play a role as well.
“Generally, women at every age group have more powerful immune systems than men,” Ishimori told HealthCentral. While a stronger immune system can help fend off illness, it also may increase women’s likelihood of developing autoimmune disease.
Among patients with autoimmune conditions, women also are more likely than men to develop a mood disorder such as depression or anxiety, according to research recently published in BMJ Mental Health. Ishimori said inflammation associated with autoimmune disease may contribute to these mental health conditions, as well as hormonal and chromosomal dynamics.
Sex differences aside, the strain of living with a chronic disease can take a toll on mental health, Ishimori told HealthCentral.
“It’s difficult to wrap your mind around, and it can be anxiety provoking and lead to depression in some patients when there’s sadness or hopelessness that things won’t get better,” Ishimori said.
Read the complete article from HealthCentral.