Arthritis Res Ther. 2009;11(5):252. Epub 2009 Oct 26.

Why are women predisposed to autoimmune rheumatic diseases?

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University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK. Jacqui.Oliver@manchester.ac.uk

Abstract

The majority of autoimmune diseases predominate in females. In searching for an explanation for this female excess, most attention has focused on hormonal changes--both exogenous changes (for example, oral contraceptive pill) and fluctuations in endogenous hormone levels particularly related to menstruation and pregnancy history. Other reasons include genetic differences, both direct (influence of genes on sex chromosomes) and indirect (such as microchimerism), as well as gender differences in lifestyle factors. These will all be reviewed, focusing on the major autoimmune connective tissue disorders: rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma.

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PMCID: PMC2787267

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Gonadal Steroid Hormones

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