New diagnostics could bring new hope to millions suffering from autoimmune diseases.

Australian researchers have been working on the Systemic Inflammation Index (SII), which uses routine laboratory data to detect and manage autoimmune conditions at their onset.

The index could play a key role in early diagnosis, patient management strategies and health initiatives to help with autoimmune diseases.

Autoimmune diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis, impact approximately 5 per cent of the population in Australia and New Zealand. 

These diseases often lead to severe symptoms and, if not diagnosed early, can cause significant organ and tissue damage.

In a collaborative study, researchers from Flinders University alongside international colleagues conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis exploring the SII's effectiveness. 

Their findings suggest that the SII could outperform existing biomarkers, which currently show limited accuracy in diagnosing these conditions.

“A key element for the successful management of these diseases is being able to identify them at an early stage and then provide targeted treatment,” says Professor Arduino Mangoni from Flinders University.

The experts say that the SII has shown remarkable accuracy in diagnosing conditions marked by inflammation and immune dysregulation, such as COVID-19, positioning it as a superior option for clinical use in autoimmune diseases.

More details are accessible here.