Nearly 70% of autoimmune disease patients in India are women, and this alarming gender disparity demands urgent attention, according to leading rheumatologists at the 40th Annual Conference of the Indian Rheumatology Association (IRACON 2025). Autoimmune diseases—including conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, thyroiditis, psoriasis, and Sjogren’s syndrome—occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues, with symptoms ranging from joint pain to organ involvement.
Experts highlighted a complex interplay of genetic, hormonal, and lifestyle factors making women, especially those aged 20 to 50, significantly more susceptible. Research from Stanford University reveals that a molecule called Xist RNA, active in women, may confuse the immune system, supporting what Indian doctors observe daily: seven out of ten autoimmune patients are women. Hormonal changes, genetic makeup, and the stresses of modern life further increase vulnerability.
Social and environmental aspects worsen the problem. “Many women delay seeking help, dismissing pain or fatigue as minor issues,” said Dr Uma Kumar, Head of Rheumatology at AIIMS, New Delhi. Household and work responsibilities, combined with low awareness and cultural taboos, lead to late diagnoses, often after significant organ damage. Pollution and unhealthy lifestyles can also trigger or intensify autoimmune responses, noted Dr Neeraj Jain, Vice Chairman of Rheumatology at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.
India faces a severe shortage of rheumatologists—fewer than 1,000 for over a billion people. Specialists at IRACON 2025 urged policy makers to recognize autoimmune illnesses as a major women’s health issue. They advocate for widespread awareness campaigns, routine screening, and training primary care physicians to recognize and refer symptoms early.
“With 70% of those affected being women, we cannot ignore this disparity,” said Dr Rohini Handa, Senior Consultant at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals. “Timely diagnosis, patient education, and inclusive health policy are crucial to tackle this growing epidemic.”
