Less than 10 years ago, the recognition that antibodies against self-tissue, a primary mechanisms in the development of autoimmune disease, were present YEARS BEFORE any recognizable symptoms, gave rationale and validity to the study of predicting vulnerability to developing autoimmune disease.

Woman are generally more susceptible to autoimmune diseases than men.

The development of autoimmune disease may be influenced by a triad fo factors: genetic vulnerability, immune system response to environmental exposures (toxic chemicals, antigenic foods, infectious agents, etc.), and intestinal permeability.