Women face higher rates of autoimmune misdiagnosis, study finds

An international study conducted by researchers at the University of Cambridge and the University of East Anglia has revealed significant gender disparities in the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases. Analyzing the experiences of over 6,600 adults, the research found that women are substantially more likely than men to have their physical symptoms attributed to psychiatric or psychosomatic causes.

Specifically, 43% of women reported that their symptoms were previously attributed to psychiatric issues, compared to 33% of men. Additionally, 34% of women reported their symptoms were considered psychosomatic, while the figure for men was 22%. These misattributions often lead to significant diagnostic delays. While the most frequent interval for men to receive a diagnosis was less than three months, women frequently waited between one and two years.

The study highlights that because autoimmune conditions—such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroid disease—often present with vague symptoms like fatigue and pain, they are prone to being misidentified. Researchers noted that these diagnostic errors can have long-lasting consequences on patient trust and well-being.