A new study looked at the long-lasting impacts of pediatric immune-mediated inflammatory diseases in an emotional sense.
When a child or teen suffers from pediatric-onset immune-mediated inflammatory disease (pIMID), they have a greater likelihood of suffering from self-harm in their early adult years. Being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease of any kind as a child can take a very serious toll on the mental health of the patient. Not only is this person dealing with symptoms from their autoimmune disease, but they may also be dealing with feelings of feeling alone, unlucky, or with hopelessness that things will never get better for them.
A new study looked at the long-lasting impacts of pediatric immune-mediated inflammatory diseases in an emotional sense and the self-harm that may occur later on. The self-harm rate was alarming, and it was found to be 2.5 times higher in sufferers of these immune disorders as compared to their peers who don’t have any chronic health issues. Most of these self-harming events took place before the age of 25 years old which suggests that young adults may need more support as they age out of pediatric care.
News Medical Live Sciences discussed the results of this study which took place in Denmark. The Danish researchers looked at the data from 12,036 patients with pIMID between the years 1980-2019, and their mortality rate. Scientists found a correlation between a higher mortality rate and being diagnosed with a pIMID overall. Self-harm wasn’t the only reason for the increased mortality rate and very sadly health problems leading to more health problems. Individuals who have been diagnosed with autoimmune disorders are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer and sadly pass away from it. Patients who were diagnosed with pediatric autoimmune liver disease (pAILD) were found to have a risk of cancer that was 30 times greater.
This study proved a link between autoimmune disorders and a higher mortality rate and is one of the first to take this approach. Doctors and other health professionals need to be aware of how their chronic health sufferers are doing as they transition doctors and the type of care they may receive. Pediatric care is very different from adult care, it should also be noted that all those who suffer from an autoimmune disorder may need more treatment than just for the physical symptoms. Having an illness that won’t just go away is exhausting in itself, and those feelings can take over.
Source: News Medical Live Sciences
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