Autoimmune Diseases Affect Many More Women Than Men

Autoimmune diseases (ADs) are conditions characterized by inflammatory responses from misdirected at-tacks by the immune system on the body’s organ systems. ADs affect roughly seven to 10 percent of the U.S. population—and women make up nearly 80 percent of patients with ADs.

ADs are the fifth leading cause of death among women under age 65. The diseases, which include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and autoimmune thyroid disorder, can significantly impact a woman’s life. Myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, Graves’ disease, scleroderma, and hemolytic anemia are other ADs that affect women more than men.

There are biological and physiological differences when it comes to how ADs affect women and men. Sex chromosomes and the gonadal hormones primarily contribute to these differences at the cellular, organ, and system levels. A combination of environmental, social, and cultural influences on the biological factors also con-tributes to sex differences. Women have stronger immune systems than men, which increases their resistance to infections, but also increases their susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. Other factors that can in-crease a woman’s likelihood of acquiring an AD include family history, environmental exposures to chemicals, and viral and
bacterial infections.

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