- Around 70% of victims of autoimmune diseases are women, especially between the ages of 20 and 50
- Lifestyle and hormonal factors are most dominant during this age group, which results in higher incidence
During the conference of Indian Rheumatology Association, Experts have mentioned that nearly 70 percent of people with autoimmune diseases in India are women aged between 20-50 years, which is when hormonal and lifestyle factors are most prevalent.
An autoimmune disease is a condition in which the body's immune system defense system gets turned against the normal cells fighting infections that are attacking its own tissue (incorrectly).
Autoimmunity describes diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, thyroiditis, psoriasis, and a group of diseases referred to as Sjögren's syndrome that can affect the joints, skin, blood vessels, and the internal organs, including the heart and lungs.
The Director of rheumatology at AIIMS, New Delhi, Dr. Uma Kumar stated that nearly 7 out of 10 patients seen in the hospital with autoimmune disorders are women.
Women continue to present late to be treated as they often overlook the persistent presentation of unexplained symptoms.
One becomes predisposed to an autoimmune disorder due to genetic predisposition, and changes in hormones during reproductive age and postpartum, stress, obesity, and nutritional deficiencies.
Dr. Uma noted the importance of recognizing autoimmune diseases, as a significant women's health issue in India.
Dr. Neeraj Jain, Vice-Chairman of Rheumatology at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, echoed similar thoughts, stating that social and environmental factors of India, including pollution, infections, as well as lifestyle factors, are responsible for the incidence of autoimmune diseases, especially in females.
Expert’s consensus is that lifestyle and environmental factors are important triggers for autoimmune disorders in females of India.
Increased pollution levels, sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, stress, and sleep deprivation, will all increase the incidence of disease. Exposure to air pollution and other industrial agents may also have hormonal and immune altering pathways attributes that increase risk.
Physicians pointed out that an early diagnosis can lead to greater treatment possibility; while no cure exists for autoimmune diseases, medications, physical therapy, diet, and stress relief help manage symptoms.
In India, there is a shortage of autonomous rheumatologists, with only about 1,000 doctors for a population of over 1 billion people. Experts highlighted that general practitioners should also be trained to spot red flags in a patient and act in a timely manner.
