The prevalence of autoimmune diseases is steadily rising, particularly among women, with winter conditions and worsening air pollution intensifying symptoms, according to a senior expert from AIIMS Delhi.
The warning comes as many patients report increased discomfort during colder months.
Dr Uma Kumar, Professor and Head of the Department of Rheumatology at AIIMS Delhi, explained that autoimmune diseases arise from a complex immune malfunction.
These conditions may affect a single organ, such as the pancreas, or involve multiple organs, as seen in disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma and Sjögren’s syndrome.
Nearly 60 systemic autoimmune diseases have been identified, most of which disproportionately affect women.
According to Dr Kumar, autoimmune diseases can occur at any age. However, they are significantly more common among women of reproductive age.
Female hormones and immune-related genes located on the X chromosome play a crucial role.
The female-to-male ratio can be as high as 9:1 in adolescence and early adulthood, gradually evening out after menopause. She also highlighted that social misconceptions often lead to neglect.
Many women delay seeking care due to the false belief that these diseases are hereditary or contagious. This often results in prolonged suffering and mental health challenges.
Symptoms tend to worsen in winter due to cold temperatures, reduced sunlight, vitamin D deficiency, joint stiffness, low mood and increased viral infections.
Air pollution further compounds the problem.
Research shows that exposure to high pollution levels increases inflammatory markers and autoantibodies, even in otherwise healthy individuals, especially those living near busy roads.
Chronic stress, poor sleep and night-shift work elevate inflammation and disease activity.
Post-COVID trends have also shown a rise in autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, reinforcing the role of environmental and lifestyle factors.
Unhealthy diets, smoking, tobacco use and obesity significantly increase risk, as obesity itself promotes chronic inflammation.
Dr Kumar noted that better diagnostics and awareness have improved detection over the past decade.
While autoimmune diseases are treatable, they usually require lifelong management, similar to diabetes or hypertension.
Symptoms vary widely, and self-testing without medical advice can be misleading.
She cautioned against unsupervised use of steroids or painkillers and stressed the importance of lifestyle modification.
Adequate sleep, stress management, regular exercise, smoking cessation, weight control and practices such as yoga can help reduce inflammation and prevent disease flare-ups.
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