March is Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month. Breakthrough T1D is taking this opportunity to provide education and shed light on these often “invisible” conditions.
What is autoimmune disease?
Autoimmune diseases occur when a person’s immune system wrongly attacks the body’s healthy cells, tissues, and organs. This response can result in a range of conditions, depending on which parts of the body are affected. In type 1 diabetes (T1D), the immune system targets the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, a hormone that helps the body convert sugar to fuel and regulates blood-sugar levels.
There are over 100 known autoimmune diseases, including:
- Type 1 diabetes
- Celiac disease
- Lupus
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Addison’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Psoriasis
It’s not uncommon for people to have more than one autoimmune disease. This is because many autoimmune diseases share common genetic backgrounds. Also, once the immune system becomes dysregulated because of one autoimmune disease, it can trigger additional immune malfunction and start attacking other parts of the body.
Autoimmune diseases are chronic and can significantly impact daily life. They can affect anyone of any race, age, or gender, though women are considerably more likely to develop them. This increased risk is likely due to hormonal and genetic factors.
What causes autoimmune diseases?
Family history and environmental elements, such as hygiene, viruses, and toxins, may contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases. However, the exact cause is still unclear, and there are currently no cures for any autoimmune diseases. Breakthrough T1D wants to change that.
The potential for cures
Our funded research to cure, prevent, and treat T1D and its complications also has the potential to impact other autoimmune diseases. This is because many of the same breakdowns in the regulation of the immune system that lead to the attack on beta cells may also be responsible for the attack on other tissues and cells. Therefore, an immune-based therapy that shows promise in one autoimmune disease has a good chance of working in others.
“The strategies we are testing to rebalance the immune system are applicable to many autoimmune diseases,” said Joshua Vieth, Senior Director of Research and head of the disease-modifying therapies program. “We work closely with other autoimmune organizations such as the Lupus Research Alliance and the National MS Society to coordinate on research strategy, maximize the resources each of us are putting into the field, and accelerate therapeutic advances that can benefit those living with autoimmune diseases such as T1D and beyond.”
Autoimmune disease by the numbers
100+
Number of known autoimmune diseases
50 million
Approximate number of Americans living with autoimmune disease
25%
Percentage of Americans who have more than one autoimmune disease
80%
Percentage of Americans with an autoimmune disease who are women
The invisibility of autoimmune diseases
Autoimmune diseases are often called “invisible” because their symptoms are not always evident to the people around you. Bodily responses to autoimmune diseases, such as joint pain, digestive issues, or fatigue, can be severe, yet they are not always outwardly visible. As a result, it may be difficult to get an accurate diagnosis, and many people facing autoimmune diseases feel a lack of support.
When you are living with an autoimmune disease, it’s important to advocate for yourself and educate those around you so that you can get the help you need.
