University of Cambridge study finds higher misdiagnosis risk for women

A study conducted by the University of Cambridge, published in the journal Lancet, reveals that women face a significantly higher risk of misdiagnosis compared to men, particularly regarding autoimmune diseases.

Research involving 6,600 participants indicates that women with autoimmune conditions are 74% more likely to have their physical symptoms dismissed as psychological or psychosomatic. Additionally, when accounting for age, disease type, and socioeconomic status, women are 46% more likely than men to receive an incorrect psychiatric diagnosis.

The study highlights how historical gender biases continue to influence medical assessments. Lead author Melanie Sloan noted that the harm caused by these misdiagnoses could have long-term consequences on patient trust in medical professionals. The research focused on conditions such as Hashimoto's disease, Graves' disease, and Lupus.