Home / Health / Women Face Longer Delays in Autoimmune Diagnosis
Women Face Longer Delays in Autoimmune Diagnosis
27 Oct
Summary
- Women are 43% more likely to receive a psychiatric misdiagnosis.
- Women are 74% more likely to be misdiagnosed with psychosomatic issues.
- Women experience one to two years longer diagnostic delays than men.
Research from Cambridge University and the University of East Anglia has revealed a stark gender bias in the diagnosis of autoimmune conditions. Globally, approximately one in ten people are affected by these diseases, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body.
The study found women are 43% more prone to receiving a psychiatric misdiagnosis and 74% more likely to be told their symptoms are psychosomatic. These misdiagnoses mean that physical autoimmune issues are often wrongly attributed to psychological causes.
Furthermore, women report a significantly longer period between symptom onset and a correct diagnosis. This duration can extend to one to two years, a stark contrast to the less than three months typically experienced by men, indicating a critical delay in accessing appropriate care.
