Research
Study finds women with autoimmune diseases report more misdiagnoses and longer waits
In a study of 6,607 people, women more often reported psychiatric or psychosomatic misdiagnoses and longer waits for an autoimmune diagnosis.
A study led by the University of Cambridge and the University of East Anglia found that women with autoimmune diseases reported more psychiatric and psychosomatic misdiagnoses than men. Published in eClinicalMedicine, the international study analyzed the diagnostic experiences of 6,607 people.
Psychosomatic misdiagnoses were reported by 34% of women and 22% of men. After accounting for age, disease group, continent and household finances, researchers found women were 46% more likely to report a psychiatric misdiagnosis and 74% more likely to report a psychosomatic one. The most frequently reported time to diagnosis was less than three months for men and one to two years for women.
The researchers called on doctors to consider autoimmune diseases before giving psychiatric or psychosomatic diagnoses. The team said it plans to explore patients’ experiences and work with patients and clinicians on ways to reduce diagnostic delays.
