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Sex Differences in Autoimmune Multimorbidity Across Eleven Disorders: A Real-World Primary Care Study in Germany
Karel Kostev1,2, Nimran Kaur3, Judith Höfle4
1Philipps University, University Hospital, 35037 Marburg, Germany.
Women show higher rates of autoimmune multimorbidity, the co-occurrence of multiple autoimmune diseases (AIDs). This study found significant sex differences in AIDs, suggesting women may be more susceptible to developing additional autoimmune conditions.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Epidemiology
- Sex Differences in Health
Background:
- Limited research exists on autoimmune multimorbidity, defined as the co-occurrence of multiple autoimmune diseases (AIDs) in a single individual.
- Most studies focus on individual AIDs rather than the complex interplay of multiple conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sex differences in autoimmune multimorbidity across eleven common AIDs.
- To analyze real-world data on the prevalence of multiple AIDs in female versus male patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cross-sectional study utilizing IQVIA's Disease Analyzer database.
- Inclusion of 164,596 patients diagnosed with at least one of eleven predefined AIDs between 2020 and 2024.
- Descriptive comparison of autoimmune multimorbidity prevalence between sexes for each AID.
Main Results:
- Significant sex disparities observed in autoimmune multimorbidity for several AIDs, including systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren's syndrome, ankylosing spondylitis, and celiac disease.
- Women consistently exhibited higher rates of co-occurring AIDs compared to men across multiple conditions.
- Autoimmune thyroiditis and rheumatoid arthritis showed smaller sex-related differences in multimorbidity.
Conclusions:
- This study highlights significant sex differences in autoimmune multimorbidity within a real-world primary care setting.
- Findings support the hypothesis that women may have a higher predisposition to developing multiple autoimmune conditions.
- Potential contributing factors include hormonal, genetic, or immunological differences between sexes.
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