Autoimmune Disease
Published in Gia Merlo, Kathy Berra, Lifestyle Nursing, 2023
Nanette Morales, Jessica Landry, Christy McDonald Lenahan, Janine Santora
Autoimmune diseases (AD) cause the human body to turn against itself, causing chronic inflammation that damages body organs and tissues (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences [NIEHS], 2021). Chronic inflammation leads to chronic disease, which causes a multitude of symptoms, lowers quality of life, and impacts life expectancy. Chronic diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality (Bodai, 2017). The prevalence of AD in the US is 50 million people (Leech et al., 2020). In comparison, cancer affects 14.5 million people and heart disease affects 22 million people. The direct and indirect cost burden of ADs is estimated to range between $86 and $100 billion annually (AARDA & NCAPG, 2011). Epidemiological data support evidence to show the steady rise in AD in westernized societies over the last 30 years (Lerner et al., 2016). The rise in AD in westernized societies has led researchers to believe environmental factors may have a stronger influence on the development of autoimmune disorders than genetic factors.