organ-specific autoimmune disease

Organ-specific autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own normal cells within a single organ. This malfunction leads to an immune response directed against specific antigens in that particular organ.12

For example, in Addison disease, autoantibodies target the adrenal cortex, and in myasthenia gravis, they attack neuromuscular cells. While the exact causes of this immune system failure are not fully understood, potential factors include genetic predisposition, environmental triggers, and hormonal influences. Autoimmune diseases affect approximately 4-5% of the global population, with females being more frequently affected. Treatment typically focuses on managing symptoms like inflammation and pain through medications such as corticosteroids and immunosuppressants.12