Autoimmune Disorders Linked to Double Risk of Mental Health Issues

New Delhi, Jun 26 (PTI) – A recent study highlights a significant association between autoimmune conditions, where the immune system erroneously attacks healthy tissues, and a nearly doubled risk of enduring mental health challenges.

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh, UK, have indicated that the chronic inflammation characteristic of these disorders might be a contributing factor to the heightened risks.

The study, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) Mental Health, reveals that women face a greater risk of mental health issues compared to men with similar conditions.

The research focused on six autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and lupus, the latter of which can affect organs like the kidneys and brain.

While a connection between inflammation and mental ill-health is acknowledged, previous studies have often involved limited participant numbers, affecting their reliability.

In this extensive analysis, data from 1.56 million individuals from a UK dataset was examined, including 37,808 with autoimmune conditions.

The study authors noted, "Overall, the risk of affective disorders among people with autoimmune conditions was nearly double that of the general population."

Additionally, individuals with autoimmune disorders were more often female and more likely to have parents who had been diagnosed with mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder at least once.

Among participants with autoimmune conditions, 29% reported having a mood disorder, significantly higher than the 18% observed in the general population.

Specifically, depression and anxiety were reported by 25.5% and 21% of those with autoimmune conditions, compared to 15% and 12.5% in the general population.

Although bipolar disorder prevalence was generally lower, it was notably higher in the autoimmune group at about 1%, compared to 0.5% in others.

Mood disorders were markedly more prevalent among women (32%) than men (21%) with the same health challenges.

While this is an observational study and does not establish causation, the researchers emphasized that it suggests chronic systemic inflammation may be linked to a greater risk for affective disorders.

The findings were drawn from the 'Our Future Health' dataset, with participants providing personal, social, health, and lifestyle information during their enrollment.

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