Nisha Pandey

Health and Me

43% Of Women With Autoimmune Diseases Say They Were Told It Was ‘All In Their Head’: Lancet

43% Of Women With Autoimmune Diseases Say They Were Told It Was ‘All In Their Head’

Women with <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/autoimmune-diseases">autoimmune diseases</a></span> are more likely than men to get told that their symptoms were merely psychological, resulting in longer delays and timely treatment. 

A new international study published in <em>The Lancet’s eClinicalMedicine </em>studied the diagnostic experiences of 6,607 people living with autoimmune diseases. 

Researchers from the <span>University of Cambridge</span> and the <span>University of East Anglia</span> found that 43% of women reported that their symptoms had previously been attributed to psychiatric causes, compared to 33% of men. 

Women were also more likely to report being told their physical symptoms were psychosomatic, meaning they were caused by psychological factors. This was reported by 34% of women, compared to 22% of men. 

After accounting for factors like age, disease group, continent and household finances, women were nearly 50% more likely to report a psychiatric misdiagnosis and almost 75% more likely to report a psychosomatic misdiagnosis than men. 

The findings highlight gender disparities patients with <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/greys-anatomy-star-opens-up-about-hashimotos-hypothyroidism-know-how-this-autoimmune-disorder-can-impact-body-and-mind-article-152433582" data-type="tilCustomLink">autoimmune conditions</a> experience during the diagnostic process, especially when the condition is not immediately ascertainable through clinical tests. 

<h2>Women Report Longer Delays In Diagnosis </h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/world-arthritis-day-arthritis-at-42-62-even-15-how-treatment-rehabilitation-help-patients-regain-mobility-article-156325115" data-type="tilCustomLink">World Arthritis Day - Arthritis At 42, 62 &amp; Even 15: How Treatment &amp; Rehabilitation Help Patients Regain Mobility</a>

The study also found differences in how long patients waited between the onset of symptoms and receiving an autoimmune disease diagnosis. 

Among women, the most frequently reported time to diagnosis was one to two years. For men, the most common interval was less than three months. Women also reported attending more healthcare consultations before receiving a diagnosis. 

“Patients with <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/study-finds-controlling-inflammation-in-diabetics-could-treat-depression-with-approaches-differing-article-152439072" data-type="tilCustomLink">autoimmune diseases</a> can present with symptoms that can initially be difficult to explain medically, and sometimes it can take months or years before a diagnosis becomes clear,” said Dr Melanie Sloan, from the University of Cambridge and the University of East Anglia. 

“Our findings highlight that psychological or mental health explanations can be given too soon. This is true for both sexes, but our study suggests that females may be particularly vulnerable to these types of misdiagnoses,” she added. 

Autoimmune diseases develop when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues. For example, conditions like <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/lupus">lupus</a></span>, <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/rheumatoid-arthritis">rheumatoid arthritis</a></span> and <span>multiple sclerosis</span>. Statistically, women are more likely to develop autoimmune diseases than men. 

Diagnosis can be challenging because early symptoms may include fatigue, persistent pain, sleep disturbances and low mood. These symptoms are common in other conditions, may fluctuate over time and can affect multiple parts of the body. 

<h2>Patient Accounts As Important As Medical Records</h2>

Acne Causes, Diet, Stress & Common Myths | When Should You See a Dermatologist?

The researchers said that patient accounts are important because medical records may not capture the full diagnostic journey, including when symptoms first appeared or how patients experienced consultations. 

Shaista Tayabali, a patient partner and co-author of the study, said, “The differences between the sexes in misdiagnoses for people with autoimmune diseases is stark. The fact that females reported higher rates of psychiatric and psychosomatic misdiagnoses than males, yet reported lower misdiagnoses for other physical diseases, suggests that historical gender biases remain a challenging aspect of the diagnostic journey.” 

The researchers stressed that the findings do not mean psychological diagnoses are always incorrect. People can have both autoimmune and mental health conditions, and some autoimmune diseases, including <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/nutrition/what-is-a-hashimotos-diet-know-all-about-it-article-151041030" data-type="tilCustomLink">lupus</a>, can themselves affect the brain. 

The team called for clinicians to remain alert to possible autoimmune conditions, acknowledge diagnostic uncertainty and reassess patients when symptoms persist.

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Autoimmune Diseases

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Women with autoimmune diseases are more likely than men to get told that their symptoms were merely psychological, resulting in longer delays and timely treatment. A new international study published in The Lancet’s eClinicalMedicine studied the diagnostic experiences of 6,607 people living with autoimmune diseases. Researchers from the University of Cambridge and the University of East Anglia found that 43% of women reported that their symptoms had previously been attributed to psychiatric causes, compared to 33% of men. Women were also more likely to report being told their physical symptoms were psychosomatic, meaning they were caused by psychological factors. This was reported by 34% of women, compared to 22% of men. After accounting for factors like age, disease group, continent and household finances, women were nearly 50% more likely to report a psychiatric misdiagnosis and almost 75% more likely to report a psychosomatic misdiagnosis than men. The findings highlight gender disparities patients with autoimmune conditions experience during the diagnostic process, especially when the condition is not immediately ascertainable through clinical tests. Women Report Longer Delays In Diagnosis Also read: World Arthritis Day - Arthritis At 42, 62 & Even 15: How Treatment & Rehabilitation Help Patients Regain MobilityThe study also found differences in how long patients waited between the onset of symptoms and receiving an autoimmune disease diagnosis. Among women, the most frequently reported time to diagnosis was one to two years. For men, the most common interval was less than three months. Women also reported attending more healthcare consultations before receiving a diagnosis. “Patients with autoimmune diseases can present with symptoms that can initially be difficult to explain medically, and sometimes it can take months or years before a diagnosis becomes clear,” said Dr Melanie Sloan, from the University of Cambridge and the University of East Anglia. “Our findings highlight that psychological or mental health explanations can be given too soon. This is true for both sexes, but our study suggests that females may be particularly vulnerable to these types of misdiagnoses,” she added. Autoimmune diseases develop when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues. For example, conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Statistically, women are more likely to develop autoimmune diseases than men. Diagnosis can be challenging because early symptoms may include fatigue, persistent pain, sleep disturbances and low mood. These symptoms are common in other conditions, may fluctuate over time and can affect multiple parts of the body. Patient Accounts As Important As Medical Records               The researchers said that patient accounts are important because medical records may not capture the full diagnostic journey, including when symptoms first appeared or how patients experienced consultations. Shaista Tayabali, a patient partner and co-author of the study, said, “The differences between the sexes in misdiagnoses for people with autoimmune diseases is stark. The fact that females reported higher rates of psychiatric and psychosomatic misdiagnoses than males, yet reported lower misdiagnoses for other physical diseases, suggests that historical gender biases remain a challenging aspect of the diagnostic journey.” The researchers stressed that the findings do not mean psychological diagnoses are always incorrect. People can have both autoimmune and mental health conditions, and some autoimmune diseases, including lupus, can themselves affect the brain. The team called for clinicians to remain alert to possible autoimmune conditions, acknowledge diagnostic uncertainty and reassess patients when symptoms persist.

43% of women with autoimmune diseases say they were told it was ‘all in their head’: lancet

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