A recent study has established that women whose ovaries have prematurely ceased producing eggs are more than 2.5 times more likely to develop autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and hyperthyroidism. This significant finding may assist in understanding the biological mechanisms that lead to the onset of ovary-linked conditions within various autoimmune diseases.
Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) has been identified as a condition in which ovaries cease to function properly, leading to the cessation of egg production in women under 40 years of age. Women diagnosed with POI often experience irregular menstruation cycles, which eventually stop altogether. In addition, some women experience symptoms similar to those associated with menopause. Estimates from previous studies suggest that POI affects approximately 1 to 3.5 percent of women worldwide.
To investigate further, researchers utilized health insurance records to follow a cohort of nearly 20,000 women, approximately 4,000 of whom were diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency between the years 1988 and 2017. The analysis also included diagnoses of autoimmune diseases between 1970 and 2017. Autoimmune conditions are characterized by an immune system that erroneously targets healthy tissue, resulting in severe health implications.
Within the group of 4,000 women diagnosed with POI, the risk of autoimmune diseases was found to vary significantly, ranging from nearly double for hyperthyroidism (over-active thyroid glands) to 26 times higher for polyglandular autoimmune diseases—rare disorders affecting the endocrine or hormone system.
The prevalence of having at least one severe autoimmune condition among women diagnosed with POI was observed to be 5.6 percent, indicating a likelihood 2.6 times higher when compared to the general population. Moreover, women without any diagnosed autoimmune diseases at the time of POI diagnosis were found to be nearly three times more likely to develop an autoimmune condition within the following three years. While the risk decreased over time, it still remained significantly elevated compared to the general population during a follow-up period of at least 12 years.
According to the researchers, these findings have substantially strengthened the hypothesis that autoimmune processes play a critical role in the onset of premature ovarian insufficiency. Lead researcher Susanna Savukoski, a gynecologist and obstetrician at Oulu University Hospital, emphasized the importance of this association, noting that women with POI are at a long-term risk for autoimmune conditions.
“Severe autoimmune diseases typically manifest with significant symptoms and can have extremely detrimental effects on general health, functional ability, and quality of life,” Savukoski stated. She further added that, fortunately, there are effective medical treatments available for many of these conditions.
Future research, as suggested by the researchers, could explore the biological processes by which the ovary-linked condition develops across different autoimmune diseases, aiming to provide a deeper understanding of the relationship between ovarian dysfunction and immune system disorders.
Reference:
1. Beitl K;Ott J;Rosta K;Holzer I;Foessleitner P;Steininger J;Panay N; “Premature Ovarian Insufficiency and Autoimmune Profiles: A Prospective Case-Control Study.” Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38108204/.
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(Rehash/Ankur Deka)