Gender and Autoimmune Disorders

An example of the gender dilemma is illustrated in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) an autoimmune disease that occurs more frequently in women than men. The gender difference is attributed to differences in the metabolism of sex hormones or regulation by gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). When it occurs in men, SLE tends to be more severe (Yacoub Wasef, 2004). Recent studies also indicate that SLE may be more common in nonwhite women of child bearing 

Specific autoimmune disorders are often associated with racial or ethnic groups. Genetic haplotypes have been identified in association with some autoimmune disorders. However, genetic factors are not enough to explain the heterogeneity in many of the autoimmune disorders. On the other hand, just as gender often correlates with severity or type of symptoms in most autoimmune disorders, race and ethnicity are associated with specific sub groups within a specific autoimmune disorder. 

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