Why are women predisposed to autoimmune rheumatic diseases?
The majority of autoimmune diseases predominate in females. In searching for an explanation for this female excess, most attention has focused on hormonal changes--both exogenous changes (for example, oral contraceptive pill) and fluctuations in endogenous hormone levels particularly related to menstruation and pregnancy history. Other reasons include genetic differences, both direct (influence of genes on sex chromosomes) and indirect (such as microchimerism), as well as gender differences in lifestyle factors. These will all be reviewed, focusing on the major autoimmune connective tissue disorders: rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma.
University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK. Jacqui.Oliver@manchester.ac.uk
Jacqueline E
JE
Oliver
Alan J
AJ
Silman
D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000276:immunology; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones