East Detroit, MI June 8, 2010: A recent firestorm of news reports surrounding Lady Gaga has the Web abuzz with questions about the superstar's health now that she has confirmed a family history of lupus and has tested borderline positive for the disease.  However, according to the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA), there's another message that is not to be lost in Lady Gaga's story. Lupus is one of more than 100+ autoimmune diseases and these diseases cluster in families which means that having a family member with lupus could mean you are at increased risk to develop one of these many chronic diseases. 

Does that mean that Lady Gaga is at risk for more than just lupus? "It's certainly possible, "says AARDA President and Executive Director Virginia T. Ladd. "Let's use my own family as an example.  I come from a very large family having grown up with 13 sisters and brothers, and I myself have lupus.  I have siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews, as well as children that have a myriad of other autoimmune diseases, such as psoriasis, Crohn's disease, lupus, and celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and type 1 diabetes.  Family history is an important indicator of someone's risk for autoimmune disease.  That's why it's so important, just as Lady Gaga has done, to know your family history with these diseases, to inform your doctors, and take proactive steps to ensure your future health."  

AARDA has developed a plan for people to get the facts on their own family history with autoimmune diseases.  It's called AQ.  AQ is a play on IQ and stands for Autoimmune Quotient.  It's about knowing how likely you or a loved one is to develop an autoimmune disease, based on the prevalence of these diseases and your family medical history. 

In Eight steps, you too can increase your awareness of autoimmune diseases and begin to calculate your own Autoimmune Quotient.

1. Understand that autoimmune disease constitute a major U.S. health crisis affecting 50 million Americans.

2. Get educated about the 100+ diseases that are autoimmune.

3. Be aware that autoimmune diseases target women an astounding 75 percent more often than men.

4. Know that autoimmune diseases run in families.

5. Do your own family medical history and inform your physician if you find that you have a history of autoimmune disease.

6. Keep a "symptoms" list if you believe you may have developed an autoimmune disease.

7. Realize that getting an autoimmune disease diagnosis is often challenging.

8. Hold the power to protect your family's future health and well-being in your hands - be proactive about your health.

For more information on autoimmune diseases, or how to find your AQ, visit the AARDA Web Site at www.aarda.org, or call 586-776-3900. 

About the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA)

The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association is dedicated to the eradication of autoimmune diseases and the alleviation of suffering and the socioeconomic impact of autoimmunity through fostering and facilitating collaboration in the areas of education, public awareness, research, and patient services in an effective, ethical and efficient manner.

AARDA is the only national nonprofit health agency dedicated to bringing a national focus to autoimmunity, the major cause of serious chronic diseases. Approximately 50 million Americans, 20 percent of the population or one in five people, suffer from autoimmune diseases. Women are more likely than men to be affected; some estimates say that 75 percent of those affected--some 37.5 million people--are women. Still, with these statistics, autoimmunity is rarely discussed as a women's health issue.

For more information on autoimmunity and/or AARDA, contact AARDA by phone at (586) 776-3900 or on the web at www.aarda.org.

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