A person with an autoimmune disease has an abnormal immune system, which normally fights infection. The abnormal immune system mistakenly attacks normal tissue in the body, causing inflammation and scarring of the tissue. An autoimmune disease may damage the skin, heart, liver, kidneys, intestines, lungs, blood vessels, and joints.

Autoimmune disease can:

• Affect the growth of bones and joints
• Destroy small blood vessels
• Diminish organ function
• Interfere with the normal immune response

Organs and tissues most often affected include:

• Blood vessels
• Bone marrow
• Connective tissues
• Endocrine glands
• Kidneys
• Muscles
• Skin
• The lining of the joints