Women's autoimmune symptoms more likely dismissed as psychological

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 23:57 · Archive

Women with autoimmune conditions are significantly more likely to have symptoms attributed to psychological causes and face longer diagnostic delays than men.

A study of over 6,600 people with autoimmune conditions has found that women are significantly more likely to have their symptoms attributed to psychological causes rather than recognised as illness. Researchers from the University of Cambridge and University of East Anglia noted that women also experience longer delays in receiving a formal diagnosis compared with men, though diagnostic difficulties affect both sexes.

Autoimmune conditions, where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, are difficult to identify because they frequently present with common symptoms including fatigue, muscle pain, rashes, bloating and weight changes. Common conditions being missed include Hashimoto's disease (an underactive thyroid), Graves' disease (an overactive thyroid), systemic lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Dr Melanie Sloan from Cambridge stated that psychological or mental health explanations 'can be given too soon', and that it can sometimes 'take months or years before a diagnosis becomes clear'.

The study, published in the Lancet, surveyed predominantly female patients based in the UK. Among women respondents, almost a quarter had autoimmune thyroid disease, whilst roughly one in seven had systemic lupus. The research highlights how 'historical biases in medicine may persist', affecting diagnosis and treatment for women presenting with autoimmune conditions.

How it is being reported

• Autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s ‘more likely to be dismissed if you’re a woman’Autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease now affect one in ten Brits but study suggests GPs are missing them as women wait years for a diagnosisThe Mirror · 12 Oct, 23:35
• Women’s autoimmune symptoms more likely to be dismissed as psychological, study findsFemale patients also endure longer delays in receiving a formal diagnosis when compared with men, research suggestsThe Independent · 12 Oct, 23:30

In this story: University of Cambridge · University of East Anglia · Dr Melanie Sloan · Lancet · United Kingdom

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