Before 1997, each autoimmune disease (type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, etc.) was considered its own, very rate, entity. Because autoimmune diseases were treated as very separate diseases, rather than a related group of ailments, until about 20 years ago, it is very difficult to track before then. Because of this, I believe simple awareness and education may be a part of the increase in diagnosed autoimmune disorders.
A major breakthrough was brought about by immunologist Noel Rose, when he grouped 24 autoimmune diseases and showed their prevalence among hospital records in 1996: more than 8.5 million Americans were effected. Since then, we have become more aware and learned significantly more about autoimmune diseases in our populations. Even so, Rose has noted that the National Institute of Health only takes his original 24 autoimmune diseases into account when calculating epidemiological data, rather than the 80 to 120 autoimmune diseases that have been discovered today. Because of this, we still have a long way to go with research in autoimmune diseases and their prevalence. Rose estimates that 50 million Americans suffer from at least one autoimmune disease today, while another review estimates a worldwide prevalence of 7.6 to 9.4%. Why this sudden increase in autoimmune diseases?
A compelling thought is our bodies' inabilities to keep up with the changing world. While our environment is rapidly expanding to include different chemicals, behaviors, foods, infections, hormones, pharmaceuticals, etc., our genetic code has remained relatively the same. Family prevalence, while not necessarily with twins, also points to a genetic/environmental triggered cause to autoimmune diseases.
As we discover more about autoimmune diseases and the length of time usable research is available, we will be able to discover much more about the causes and epidemiological reasoning behind increases in autoimmune diseases.
Cooper, G., Bynum, M., & Somers, E. (2009). Recent insights in the epidemiology of autoimmune diseases: Improved prevalence estimates and understanding of clustering of diseases. Journal Of Autoimmunity, 33(3-4), 197-207. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaut.2009.09.008
Schmidt, C. (2011). Questions Persist: Environmental Factors in Autoimmune Disease. Environmental Health Perspectives, 119(6), a248-a253. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.119-a248
A compelling thought is our bodies' inabilities to keep up with the changing world. While our environment is rapidly expanding to include different chemicals, behaviors, foods, infections, hormones, pharmaceuticals, etc., our genetic code has remained relatively the same. Family prevalence, while not necessarily with twins, also points to a genetic/environmental triggered cause to autoimmune diseases.
As we discover more about autoimmune diseases and the length of time usable research is available, we will be able to discover much more about the causes and epidemiological reasoning behind increases in autoimmune diseases.
Cooper, G., Bynum, M., & Somers, E. (2009). Recent insights in the epidemiology of autoimmune diseases: Improved prevalence estimates and understanding of clustering of diseases. Journal Of Autoimmunity, 33(3-4), 197-207. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaut.2009.09.008
Schmidt, C. (2011). Questions Persist: Environmental Factors in Autoimmune Disease. Environmental Health Perspectives, 119(6), a248-a253. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.119-a248
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