Autoimmune Disorders Simplified for Africans
By: Elizabeth Obigwe, B.Sc. Anatomy. Freelance Health Writer. Medically reviewed by the DLHA Team.
A young African lady, looking sad and depressed after receiving a diagnosis of autoimmune disorder. Image credit: Freepik.
Imagine your body as a mansion with guards employed to defend it. These guards are known as the immune system. The immune system is a special network of organs, tissues, cells, and processes that work together to protect you when something harmful (like bacteria, viruses, and other germs) tries to enter your body.
If one day something goes wrong with the guards and they start to attack the mansion instead of defending it, it will result in what is called autoimmune disorders or autoimmune diseases (ADs).
An autoimmune disorder is a long-lasting condition in which the immune system, which normally protects the body from harmful invaders like bacteria and viruses, mistakenly identifies the body’s healthy cells, tissues, or organs as threats and attacks them. This abnormal immune response can lead to inflammation, tissue damage, and disruption in the normal function of the affected areas.
Burden of autoimmune disorders in Africa and globally
Initially, ADs were considered rare in Africa, but in recent times, they have become more common. While the disorders have been estimated to affect not less than 5% of people globally [1, 2, 3], the estimate for the number of people affected in Africa is unknown because the diseases did not get enough attention in this region until recently.
Recent studies [3, 4] have revealed that ADs may indeed be more common, more severe, occur in younger people, and lead to a higher death rate in low and middle income countries like in sub-Saharan Africa.
One of the reasons why autoimmune disorders were overlooked in Africa in the past was because of Strachan’s hygiene hypothesis. [3, 4, 5] The hypothesis states that exposure to infection-causing organisms in early childhood helps in the development of a healthy immune system and reduces the risk of allergies. Hence, it was believed that in middle and low-income countries, which generally have poorer hygiene practices than high-income countries, people had developed a strong immunity against autoimmune diseases.
Another factor responsible for the oversight was the relationship between helminth infections and inflammation. [5] It is believed that people with helminth infections may experience lower rates of certain inflammatory conditions like autoimmune diseases and allergies. Since Sub-Saharan Africa has one of the highest concentrations of helminth infections worldwide, this created a bias in the observation of the disease in this region. [5]
Additionally, problems of underreporting and underdiagnosis also contribute to the lack of data on ADs in Africa. [3] Most people who suffer from these diseases may seek solutions outside the hospitals, and for those who visit the hospital, the healthcare professionals may be unable to identify the disease.
There are more than 100 autoimmune diseases that affect humans [3, 6]. These diseases can be broadly classified into organ-specific and systemic ADs.
An autoimmune disease is said to be organ-specific when it mostly affects a particular organ in the body. Conversely, systemic autoimmune diseases affect several organs and systems in the body. [1] Below are some of the common autoimmune conditions. [4, 5, 6, 7].
Info-poster showing six common autoimmune disorders in Africa. Click on image to enlarge.
Research on autoimmune diseases is still growing in Africa. Nonetheless, studies have found that the conditions listed below are more common among Africans than others. See Table 1 for a fuller list of types and features of common ADs in Africa.
Table 1: Showing types and features of common autoimmune disorders in Africa. Click on image to enlarge.
Scientists are not certain about the cause of autoimmune diseases. However, many believe that these diseases develop when a person’s genes interact with certain things in their environment, like infections, stress, or chemicals, over a period of time that is long enough to induce changes in the genes [8]. Below are some of the factors that have been linked with ADs.
This includes social structures, socioeconomic conditions, and cultural norms. These factors can influence: the degree of exposure to stress each day, the extent of pressure put on the body, exposure to harmful environments, and access to proper medical care, all of which can impact the risk and severity of ADs. [4] For instance, a person from a lower socioeconomic class is likely to be under more stress than someone from the upper class. Over time, this stress can affect how a person’s genes work and overstimulate parts of the brain that respond to fear and emotion, like the amygdala. This causes the body to continuously produce stress hormones and inflammation-causing chemicals that can harm tissues over time. [4]
Some people are born with genes that make them more likely to develop ADs. If someone in your family (like a parent or sibling) has an autoimmune condition, you may have a higher chance of getting one too. However, having these genes does not mean you will definitely get the disease; it just raises your risk.
Things in the environment can trigger the immune system to behave abnormally, especially in people who are already at risk. For example, some viral infections or exposure to harmful substances may confuse the immune system into attacking the body instead of protecting it. Below are some environmental factors that are linked to autoimmune disorders. [8, 9]
Most, but not all, ADs are more common in women than in men. About 80% of people with autoimmune conditions are women. [6] Experts believe this could be due to female hormones like estrogen, which may influence how the immune system works. Women’s immune systems tend to be stronger, which helps fight infections but may also make them more likely to overreact and attack their own bodies.
ADs can happen at any age, from 0 to 96 years, but some conditions mostly affect specific age groups [1] (see Table 2).
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Table 2: Autoimmune disorders and affected age groups. Click on image to enlarge.
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Some common lupus symptoms to never ignore. Click on image to enlarge
The symptoms of autoimmune diseases can mimic those of other diseases, making it difficult to distinguish them. For instance, systemic lupus erythematosus has similar symptoms to HIV [3]. Always report to your doctor whenever you feel unwell or notice abnormalities in your body. Some common symptoms of ADs are: [10]
Autoimmune-disorders-diagnosis.jpg)
How autoimmune disorders are diagnosed. .
Since symptoms of autoimmune diseases often overlap with other conditions, diagnosis can take time and may involve seeing specialists. It usually begins with the following:
Your healthcare provider will start by asking you some questions about your health history, your current symptoms and when you noticed them. Your provider will then examine specific areas of your body where you are experiencing the symptoms.
Because the symptoms of ADs are similar to the symptoms of other diseases, your doctor will recommend different tests to rule out other possible causes of the symptoms. Below are some of the possible laboratory and imaging tests for autoimmune disorders you may have to undergo. [9]
This is a test that looks at the different types of cells in your blood, like red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. From the counts of these cells, your doctor can tell if there is an infection, inflammation, or if your immune system is acting unusually.
This test checks how well your organs, like your liver, kidneys, and thyroid, are working. It also measures levels of important substances in your blood, such as salts, enzymes, and proteins. It gives clues about how your body is handling stress or damage from a possible autoimmune disease.
These tests look for special proteins called autoantibodies that your immune system might be making by mistake. Instead of protecting you, these proteins attack healthy parts of your body. Finding them helps the doctor know if your immune system is involved in your symptoms.
Your doctor may ask you to do any of the following imaging tests:
Autoimmune diseases have no permanent cure, but some treatments (medical and non-medical) help manage symptoms, reduce inflammation, and prevent long-term damage. Also, people suffering from ADs may not all respond positively to a particular medication. As such, treatment for autoimmune disorders is usually targeted at specific patient needs. The goal is to help people live as comfortably and normally as possible.
Some common medications used in the treatment of ADs are: [11]
Natural treatments for autoimmune disorders include self-care, diet and lifestyle changes.
Balanced diet: Eat balanced diets rich in healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats (like those in fish and nuts) to help boost your immune system and reduce inflammation. Here are some healthy African foods for people with ADs. Avoid highly processed foods and excess sugar as they can make inflammation worse.
Regular exercise: Gentle physical activity, such as walking, stretching, swimming, or yoga, can help reduce joint stiffness, ease muscle pain, and improve blood circulation. Talk to your doctor to decide which physical activity is best for you.
Rest and stress management: Stress can make symptoms worse by overstimulating the immune system. Prioritize rest and reduce stressful activities.
Quit smoking: Quitting smoking can be especially important if you have a condition that affects the blood vessels.
You may not be able to completely prevent autoimmune diseases because experts do not yet know what causes them. Nonetheless, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and avoiding environmental triggers can help reduce your risk.
Because ADs have no cure yet, people with this disorder can only manage their symptoms for the rest of their lives. The effect and impact of autoimmune diseases vary depending on the organ or system affected.
However, regardless of the type of autoimmune disease a person is suffering from, these conditions can impact the patients' physical, social and mental health, which may in turn affect their overall quality of life. [7]
ADs may also affect fertility, especially in women, with some diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus, leading to pregnancy loss. [2] Early detection and proper management practices are crucial for making living with autoimmune diseases less challenging.
Although autoimmune disorders are now more recognised in sub-Saharan Africa, there are still a lot of challenges with managing the diseases and helping the people suffering from them live better lives. Lack of proper understanding of the conditions, late reporting and delayed initiation of treatment, financial constraints, and a lack of adequate healthcare providers and specialists are some of the challenges faced.
Providing health education on these conditions can raise awareness among the populace. This can lead to early reporting and early intervention, resulting in better management outcomes.
Yes, some ADs can be life-threatening if not treated, especially when major organs are affected. But with proper care, many people live long, full lives.
They can be triggered by a number of things, like infections, stress, chemicals, certain foods, and even sunlight, especially in people who are already at risk due to their genes.
Systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma are 2 of the deadliest autoimmune diseases because they can affect vital organs like the brain, heart, lungs, and kidneys, with most death cases occurring in Africans [4].
1. Ramos-Casals M, Brito-Zerón P, Kostov B, Sisó-Almirall A, Bosch X, Buss D, et al. Google-driven search for big data in autoimmune geoepidemiology: Analysis of 394,827 patients with systemic autoimmune diseases. Autoimmunity Reviews. 2015 Aug;14(8):670–9. doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2015.03.008. Available from here.
2. Ramos P, Shedlock A, Langefeld C. Genetics of autoimmune diseases: insights from population genetics. J Hum Genet. 2015;60:657–664. doi:10.1038/jhg.2015.94. Available from here.
3. Vento S, Cainelli F. Autommune diseases in low and middle income countries: A neglected, yet important issue in Global Health. 2016 Mar 12; doi:10.26226/morressier.56e174ddd462b8028d88aef1. Available from here.
4. Essouma M, Noubiap JJ. Lupus and other autoimmune diseases: Epidemiology in the population of African ancestry and Diagnostic and management challenges in Africa. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: Global. 2024 Nov;3(4):100288. doi:10.1016/j.jacig.2024.100288. Available from here.
5. Madu PN, Williams VL, Noe MH, Omech BG, Kovarik CL, Wanat KA. Autoimmune skin disease among dermatology outpatients in Botswana: A retrospective review. International Journal of Dermatology. 2018 Aug 31;58(1):50–3. doi:10.1111/ijd.14201. Available from here.
6. Angum F, Khan T, Kaler J, Siddiqui L, Hussain A. The prevalence of autoimmune disorders in women: A narrative review. Cureus. 2020 May 13; doi:10.7759/cureus.8094. Available from here.
7. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Enhancing NIH research on autoimmune disease. Washington (DC): National Academies Press; 2022 Jun 2. Chapter 2, Background on autoimmune diseases. Available from here.
8. Miller FW. The increasing prevalence of autoimmunity and autoimmune diseases: an urgent call to action for improved understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Current opinion in immunology. 2023;80:102266. doi:10.1016/j.coi.2022.102266. Available from here.
9. Wang L, Wang F, Gershwin ME. Human autoimmune diseases: A comprehensive update. Journal of Internal Medicine. 2015 Jul 25;278(4):369–95. doi:10.1111/joim.12395. Available from here.
10. Understanding autoimmune diseases [Internet. 2024]. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; [Accessed 28 July 2025]. Available from here.
11. Martan J. Management and treatment of autoimmune diseases: Types, mechanisms and risk factors. [Internet. 2023]. Journal of Contemporary Medical Education; [Accessed 28 July 2025]. Available from here.
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Published: August 23, 2025
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