pain in woman’s hand
About 70% of the total patients suffering from autoimmune diseases in India are women. Especially between the ages of 20 and 50, when hormonal and lifestyle factors are most active. Autoimmune disorders occur when the body’s defense system, which normally protects against infections, mistakenly attacks its own tissue. Common conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, thyroiditis, psoriasis and Sjögren’s syndrome. These diseases can affect the joints, skin, blood vessels and even internal organs like the heart or lungs.
Dr. Uma Kumar, Head of the Department of Rheumatology at AIIMS, New Delhi told that in his clinic at AIIMS, almost seven out of every ten patients suffering from autoimmune diseases are women. Women often come late because they ignore persistent symptoms. Genetic makeup, combined with hormonal changes during reproductive age and after childbirth, stress, obesity and nutritional deficiencies, can make them more susceptible to autoimmune diseases.
Women of 30 to 40 years of age are also becoming victims.
Dr. Bimlesh Dhar Pandey, Director of Rheumatology at Fortis Hospital. Every week, I meet women who have been struggling with unexplained joint pain or swelling for years before they were diagnosed, she said. Many women are in their 30s or 40s. By the time they reach us, the disease has already damaged their joints or organs. We must raise awareness and ensure prompt testing, especially among women. Because this problem becomes worse because women often ignore early warning signs like fatigue, joint stiffness or swelling. They dismiss them as minor problems or the result of stress or ageing.
Most of the patients suffering from this disease in RML Hospital are women.
Dr. Neeraj Jain, Vice President of Rheumatology at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said that we have also seen the same trend. The clear majority of autoimmune patients are women. The Stanford study gives a biological explanation, but social and environmental factors play a major role in increasing cases of autoimmune diseases in India. Dr Pulin Gupta, professor and rheumatologist at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, said that in his clinic, almost 70 per cent of patients with autoimmune diseases are women, and many have been mistreated for years before reaching a specialist.
shortage of doctors
There is currently a shortage of trained rheumatologists in India. Less than 1,000 experts for a population of over a billion. Experts suggested that primary care physicians should be trained to recognize early symptoms and refer patients appropriately. Autoimmune diseases should also be included within women’s health initiatives in public health programs, just as reproductive and cancer screenings are promoted.