Neuberg Diagnostics has reported a growing incidence of autoimmune and rheumatology-related conditions across Karnataka, including in Tier-II and Tier-III regions. Medical experts warn that early symptoms such as joint pain, fatigue and stiffness are often overlooked or treated symptomatically, leading to disease progression.

By the time patients are referred to tertiary healthcare centres in Bengaluru, many present with advanced complications, including severe mobility limitations or organ involvement, making treatment more complex and prolonged.

Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, affecting organs such as joints, skin, kidneys, lungs, eyes and hormonal systems. Common conditions being diagnosed include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Doctors are also observing cases of rarer diseases such as myositis.

Healthcare professionals have also flagged a concerning rise in autoimmune conditions among children, with cases reported in patients as young as 10 years. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis remains one of the most common paediatric conditions, often impacting physical activity and school attendance due to persistent joint stiffness and fatigue.

Experts attribute delayed diagnosis to limited awareness, lack of specialised rheumatology care and delayed referrals, especially in smaller towns. Additionally, overlapping symptoms across autoimmune diseases make diagnosis challenging, often requiring extensive laboratory investigations.

Diagnostic tools such as rheumatoid factor, anti-CCP antibodies, ANA (antinuclear antibody) testing, ANA profile and HLA-B27 play a critical role in confirming and differentiating these conditions. Specialists emphasise that laboratory findings must always be interpreted alongside clinical evaluation for accurate diagnosis and timely treatment.