10 Autoimmune Facts and Statistics

An autoimmune disorder occurs when the body's immune system starts attacking and destroying healthy body tissue by mistake. Scleroderma is a rheumatic, autoimmune and chronic disease that affects the body by hardening connective tissue. According to the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA), here are some facts and statistics about autoimmune diseases. 1. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that up to 23.5 million* Americans live with an autoimmune disease and that its prevalence is rising. According to the Scleroderma Foundation, while there is no proven cure for scleroderma, much can be done to prevent, minimize or alleviate its effects and symptoms. 2. On the other hand, AARDA says that 50 million* Americans live with an autoimmune disease. (*The difference is due to the NIH only including 24 diseases for which they had epidemiology studies they considered appropriate available). Throughout June, our resident blogger and scleroderma patient, Nicola Whitehill, posted daily information and facts about scleroderma to celebrate Scleroderma Awareness Month. Read all Nicola’s Scleroderma Awareness Month articles here. 3. Initial symptoms are often intermittent and unspecific until the disease becomes acute. According to the Scleroderma Foundation, while there is no proven cure for scleroderma, much can be done to prevent, minimize or alleviate its effects and symptoms. 4. Researchers have identified between 80 to 100 different autoimmune diseases. Bob Saget is a well-recognized comedian, TV host, and actor. But what one might not know is that he is also an advocate for scleroderma. How and why did he become involved with scleroderma? 5. These autoimmune diseases are usually chronic and may be life-threatening. Here’s an amazing story from a chronic illness patient. Wyatt Wright a.k.a (Wyatt The Warrior), a 9-year-old young man diagnosed with localized scleroderma (linear) at the age of 8. 6. Researchers also suspect that at least another 40 diseases have an autoimmune basis. According to the Scleroderma Foundation, while there is no proven cure for scleroderma, much can be done to prevent, minimize or alleviate its effects and symptoms. 7. Autoimmune diseases are one of top 10 leading causes for female children and women in all age groups (up to 64 years of age) to die. Throughout June, our resident blogger and scleroderma patient, Nicola Whitehill, posted daily information and facts about scleroderma to celebrate Scleroderma Awareness Month. Read all Nicola’s Scleroderma Awareness Month articles here. 8. In 2003, NIH research funding for autoimmune disease was $591 million. According to the Scleroderma Foundation, while there is no proven cure for scleroderma, much can be done to prevent, minimize or alleviate its effects and symptoms. 9. The NIH Autoimmune Diseases Research Plan states: “Research discoveries of the last decade have made autoimmune research one of the most promising areas of new discovery.” Did you know that systemic sclerosis patients are likely to develop micronutrient deficiencies? 10. According to the NIH, annual direct health care costs for autoimmune diseases are in the range of $100 billion (source: NIH presentation by Dr. Fauci, NIAID). According to the Scleroderma Foundation, while there is no proven cure for scleroderma, much can be done to prevent, minimize or alleviate its effects and symptoms. Scleroderma News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

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