Women ‘more likely to be told autoimmune conditions are psychological’
The gist
A study of over 6,600 patients found women with autoimmune diseases are up to 74% more likely than men to be told their symptoms are psychological.
The finding points to a diagnostic gap that delays treatment and erodes women's trust in doctors.
How it unfolded
- Oct 12, 2026Medical Xpress reports a study of more than 6,600 patients finding females with autoimmune diseases significantly more likely than males to have their disease misdiagnosed as a psychiatric or psychosomatic condition.
- Oct 13, 2026Patient Safety Learning's the hub publishes a news item titled "Women 'more likely to be told autoimmune conditions are psychological'", citing a study by the University of Cambridge and University of East Anglia.
- Oct 13, 2026The Guardian publishes the full story, linked from the Patient Safety Learning item.