Improving autoimmune diagnostics and workflows for better patient outcomes
For many individuals living with autoimmune diseases, the road to diagnosis is long, frustrating, and often isolating. Symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, and muscle weakness can appear sporadically, sometimes worsening without warning and other times fading just enough to cause doubt. Many patients go years without answers, cycling through doctor visits, tests, and misdiagnoses, all while knowing that something isn’t right with their body.
The nature of autoimmune diseases themselves is a challenge. Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, and connective tissue diseases are on the rise globally, placing increasing pressure on healthcare systems to provide timely and accurate diagnoses. The global prevalence of autoimmune conditions has been steadily increasing, with an estimated 5-10% of the population affected by one or more autoimmune diseases.1 This growing trend has added a significant burden to healthcare systems, compelling them to respond effectively.
Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues. They often present with overlapping symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, muscle weakness, and skin rashes. They also vary between patients and evolve over time, making it even more challenging for laboratory professionals and healthcare providers to pinpoint the exact condition. However, there is yet another layer of complexity to be considered, and that is the fact that autoimmune patients often have their flare-ups and periods of remission. Flare-ups can be severe and may require immediate medical intervention, while remissions can be deceptive; patients may have no symptoms but still have disease activity. During remission, lab values may look normal although the disease is still present on the molecular level, which results in diagnostic delays.
Another major problem with autoimmune diseases is polyautoimmunity, which is the development of multiple autoimmune diseases in patients with primary autoimmune diseases. In fact, 13.5% of patients with autoimmune thyroiditis have been reported to have polyautoimmunity.2 Also, it has been estimated that 25% of patients with one autoimmune disease may develop another, which further complicates the diagnosis and management of the condition.3
Therefore, in patients, early identification and the continual tracking of symptoms are vital to avoid long-term complications. However, conventional diagnostic techniques may fail to capture these changes, underscoring the need for new strategies that combine technology, workflow, and laboratory operations.
Refining diagnostic precision to improve quality of life
Advancements in technology, such as automated immunoassays and systems, play an essential role in improving autoimmune disease detection. By combining medical history, symptom analysis, molecular test results, and advanced diagnostic hardware, laboratory professionals and clinicians can gain deeper insights, enabling faster and more informed decision-making.
Today’s advanced immunoassays, such as fluorescence enzyme immunoassay (FEIA) technology, are transforming autoimmune disease detection by improving diagnostic accuracy. Further, introducing automated instrumentation can increase lab efficiency, enhance test consistency, and reduce human error, resulting in more reliable results. These advancements streamline laboratory workflows while providing a crucial balance between specificity and sensitivity, ensuring precise and dependable diagnostics.
Beyond their technical accuracy, FEIA and other advanced assays become even more powerful when paired with medical history and symptoms. When diagnostic test results are analyzed with the symptom history in mind, healthcare providers can reach deeper insights, enabling more informed, personalized decision-making. By integrating these diagnostic tools with clinical evaluation, providers can create more effective treatment strategies that improve long-term patient outcomes.
Benefits and challenges of adopting a new workflow optimization
These exciting new tools and advancements can improve diagnostics and streamline workflows, allowing laboratory personnel to increase efficiency and output by consolidating testing instruments and automating key tasks such as sample preparation, analysis, and result reporting. This ultimately reduces mistakes and minimizes the need for manual interventions enhancing both speed and accuracy. But new technology is not always immediately embraced.
Resistance to change and vendor consolidation often stems from concerns about costs, potential disruptions to established workflows, and the need for extensive training. For laboratory professionals, the fear of workflow interruptions and the potential for increased complexity in their day-to-day jobs can be significant barriers. Additionally, there is often pressure to demonstrate the value of new technologies and ensure a smooth transition with minimal impact on ongoing operations.
To effectively address these challenges, it is essential to provide comprehensive training and support, as well as clearly articulating the long-term benefits of optimized workflows. To improve technology adoption, strategies should include customized, practical trainings that address specific needs and step-by-step implementation plans. It is also important to have dedicated support teams at the ready to provide technical assistance during the transition phase, so choosing a partner who prioritizes high-quality service, including exceptional training and outstanding customer support, is critical. Clearly communicating the long-term benefits of the new technologies, such as increased efficiency, accuracy, and overall improvements in workflow is also crucial. Demonstrating how these benefits outweigh the temporary inconveniences can help build buy-in from staff, which is integral to the successful implementation of this technology.
Looking ahead: Transforming the future of autoimmune disease diagnosis
The growing prevalence of autoimmune diseases has highlighted the urgent need for more efficient and accurate diagnostic methods. Traditional approaches, while valuable, only capture a small piece of the complexities around these diseases, with their fluctuating symptoms and molecular activity. New assays, advanced software systems, and automation represent the future of autoimmune disease diagnosis.
For patients, this means quicker diagnoses and more accurate treatment plans, which can significantly improve their quality of life. The frustration of living with undiagnosed or misdiagnosed autoimmune diseases — often involving years of doctor visits and symptom management — can be alleviated with the precision of advanced diagnostic tools. With faster interventions, patients can avoid the progression of the disease, reduce the severity of flare-ups, and potentially minimize the impact on their daily lives, leading to better long-term health outcomes.
REFERENCES
- GAI. The global landscape of autoimmune disease. Global Autoimmune Institute. February 20, 2024. Accessed March 28, 2025. https://www.autoimmuneinstitute.org/articles/the-global-landscape-of-autoimmune-disease/.
- Botello A, Herrán M, Salcedo V, et al. Prevalence of latent and overt polyautoimmunity in autoimmune thyroid disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2020;93(4):375-389. doi:10.1111/cen.14304.
- Yagnik KJ, Chhabria P, Bhanderi H, Fish PN. Unveiling the uncommon: a captivating case of multiple autoimmune syndrome. Arch Clin Cases. 2024;11(3):83-85. doi:10.22551/2024.44.1103.10293.
