Global InformationAutoimmune disease information
| Autoimmune diseases | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Young woman with malar rash, typically found in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) | |
| Specialty | Rheumatology, immunology, gastroenterology, neurology, dermatology, endocrinology |
| Symptoms | Wide-ranging, depends on the condition. Commonly include, although by no means restricted to, low grade fever, feeling tired[1] |
| Usual onset | Adulthood[1] |
| Types | List of autoimmune diseases (alopecia areata, vitiligo, celiac disease, diabetes mellitus type 1, Hashimoto's disease, Graves' disease, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, others)[1] |
| Medication | Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressants, intravenous immunoglobulin[1][2] |
| Frequency | 10% (UK)[3] |
An autoimmune disease is a condition that results from an anomalous response of the adaptive immune system, wherein it mistakenly targets and attacks healthy, functioning parts of the body as if they were foreign organisms.[1] It is estimated that there are more than 80 recognized autoimmune diseases, with recent scientific evidence suggesting the existence of potentially more than 100 distinct conditions.[4][5][6] Nearly any body part can be involved.[7]
Autoimmune diseases are a separate class from autoinflammatory diseases. Both are characterized by an immune system malfunction which may cause similar symptoms, such as rash, swelling, or fatigue, but the cardinal cause or mechanism of the diseases are different. A key difference is a malfunction of the innate immune system in autoinflammatory diseases, whereas in autoimmune diseases there is a malfunction of the adaptive immune system.[8]
Symptoms of autoimmune diseases can significantly vary, primarily based on the specific type of the disease and the body part that it affects. Symptoms are often diverse and can be fleeting, fluctuating from mild to severe, and typically comprise low-grade fever, fatigue, and general malaise.[1] However, some autoimmune diseases may present with more specific symptoms such as joint pain, skin rashes (e.g., urticaria), or neurological symptoms.
The exact causes of autoimmune diseases remain unclear and are likely multifactorial, involving both genetic and environmental influences.[7] While some diseases like lupus exhibit familial aggregation, suggesting a genetic predisposition, other cases have been associated with infectious triggers or exposure to environmental factors, implying a complex interplay between genes and environment in their etiology.
Some of the most common diseases that are generally categorized as autoimmune include celiac disease, type 1 diabetes, Graves' disease, inflammatory bowel diseases (such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), multiple sclerosis, alopecia areata,[9] Addison's disease, pernicious anemia, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Diagnosing autoimmune diseases can be challenging due to their diverse presentations and the transient nature of many symptoms.[1]
Treatment modalities for autoimmune diseases vary based on the type of disease and its severity.[1] Therapeutic approaches primarily aim to manage symptoms, reduce immune system activity, and maintain the body's ability to fight diseases. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and immunosuppressants are commonly used to reduce inflammation and control the overactive immune response. In certain cases, intravenous immunoglobulin may be administered to regulate the immune system.[2] Despite these treatments often leading to symptom improvement, they usually do not offer a cure and long-term management is often required.[1]
In terms of prevalence, a UK study found that 10% of the population were affected by an autoimmune disease.[3] Women are more commonly affected than men. Autoimmune diseases predominantly begin in adulthood, although they can start at any age.[1] The initial recognition of autoimmune diseases dates back to the early 1900s, and since then, advancements in understanding and management of these conditions have been substantial, though much more is needed to fully unravel their complex etiology and pathophysiology.[10]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Autoimmune diseases". Office on Women's Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 22 February 2021. Archived from the original on 5 October 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
- ^ a b Katz U, Shoenfeld Y, Zandman-Goddard G (2011). "Update on intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) mechanisms of action and off- label use in autoimmune diseases". Current Pharmaceutical Design. 17 (29): 3166–3175. doi:10.2174/138161211798157540. PMID 21864262.
- ^ a b Conrad N, Misra S, Verbakel JY, Verbeke G, Molenberghs G, Taylor PN, et al. (June 2023). "Incidence, prevalence, and co-occurrence of autoimmune disorders over time and by age, sex, and socioeconomic status: a population-based cohort study of 22 million individuals in the UK". Lancet. 401 (10391): 1878–1890. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(23)00457-9. PMID 37156255. S2CID 258529606.
- ^ "List of Autoimmune Diseases". Autoimmune Registry Inc. Retrieved 2022-06-06.
- ^ Angum F, Khan T, Kaler J, Siddiqui L, Hussain A (May 2020). "The Prevalence of Autoimmune Disorders in Women: A Narrative Review". Cureus. 12 (5): e8094. doi:10.7759/cureus.8094. PMC 7292717. PMID 32542149. S2CID 219447364.
- ^ "Assessment of NIH Research on Autoimmune Diseases". www.nationalacademies.org. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
- ^ a b Borgelt LM (2010). Women's Health Across the Lifespan: A Pharmacotherapeutic Approach. ASHP. p. 579. ISBN 978-1-58528-194-7. Archived from the original on 2017-09-08.
- ^ Zen M, Gatto M, Domeneghetti M, Palma L, Borella E, Iaccarino L, et al. (October 2013). "Clinical guidelines and definitions of autoinflammatory diseases: contrasts and comparisons with autoimmunity-a comprehensive review". Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology. 45 (2): 227–235. doi:10.1007/s12016-013-8355-1. PMID 23322404. S2CID 23061331.
- ^ Erjavec SO, Gelfman S, Abdelaziz AR, Lee EY, Monga I, Alkelai A, et al. (February 2022). "Whole exome sequencing in Alopecia Areata identifies rare variants in KRT82". Nature Communications. 13 (1): 800. Bibcode:2022NatCo..13..800E. doi:10.1038/s41467-022-28343-3. PMC 8831607. PMID 35145093.
- ^ Ananthanarayan R, Paniker CK (2005). Ananthanarayan and Paniker's Textbook of Microbiology. Orient Blackswan. p. 169. ISBN 978-81-250-2808-6. Archived from the original on 2017-09-08.