AiArthritis logo showing stylized infinite loop symbol in red with black dots, above organization name for International Foundation for Autoimmune & Autoinflammatory Arthritis.

Co-Existing Conditions

"Co-Existing" Conditions can include both dual diagnosis (or more) of similar diseases as well as conditions (like heart disease) that can occur as part of the disease, or as a result of uncontrolled inflammation.


Our diseases are complex. Some of the diseases include organ involvement as a common feature (for example lungs in sarcoidosis or eyes with sjogren's disease), while others may impact organs if the inflammation becomes more aggressive (eyes in rheumatoid arthritis, heart with many of our conditions). Either way, these "co-existing" conditions usually require additional therapy and specialists. 


As one of our amazing volunteers, Kerry, says, "I have autoimmune soup," as it's not uncommon to be diagnosed with more than one of our conditions. Sometimes it's due to misdiagnosis or re-diagnosis, but at times it's a result of inflammation that is finding its way into other parts of the body.


"Co-Existing" Conditions is different than having more than one condition that are unrelated to one another (for example, psoriatic arthritis and asthma). These are called "multi-morbidities". It's important for health professionals to know about other diagnoses and treatments to help you best manage your AiArthritis disease.

These AiArthritis resources are designed to help you navigate the complexities of managing multiple diagnoses, organ involvement, or complications that may occur.

RESOURCES FOR Some co-existing conditions

Cardiovascular Risk

Studies show that individuals with AiArthritis diseases are 1.5 to 2 times more likely to develop cardiovascular (heart) disease compared to the general population.


This resource post highlights the crucial link between autoimmune and autoinflammatory arthritis diseases and the increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Based largely from what we have learned by attending the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) & EULAR rheumatology conferences annually through our "Go With Us!" to Conferences program, we have compiled a resource that explains how chronic inflammation and other risk factors can impact heart health. Click to learn more and to discover practical steps you can take to protect your heart.

Check Out the Resource

Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS)

MAS is a massive inflammatory response that overwhelms the whole body, including organs. MAS is most common in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) and adult-onset Still's Disease (AOSD) (also known as Still's Disease) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Check out our MAS page for information, resources, and patient stories.

Learn More

Organ Involvement

Download this resource to gain a deeper understanding of how autoimmune and autoinflammatory arthritis can impact various organs, not just the joints. By learning about potential organ involvement - including if it's part of your disease or a co-existing condition - you can better monitor your health, engage in informed discussions with your healthcare providers, and take proactive steps to manage your condition more effectively.


In this AiArthritis Voices 360 Talk Show Episode, we explore some examples of organ involvement such as eyes, heart, gastrointestinal, and kidneys, as well as a newer autoimmune disease, IgG4, which has been tied to many AiArthritis diseases.  Check out the episode using the link above and download the associated resource below.

Download the Resource

Managing My Disease

Check out these resources, which may help:


Have questions? Email us at info@aiarthritis.org

Featured Projects

Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS) Education

Learn More

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) Education

Learn More

Talk Show Episodes For Juggling Co-Existing Conditions

Managing autoimmune or autoinflammatory arthritis diseases alongside multiple co-existing conditions can be particularly challenging, often adding layers of complexity to your healthcare journey. While it’s essential to coordinate with your healthcare team, our AiArthritis Voices360 Talk Show—led BY PATIENTS—offers valuable perspectives and support from those who are also navigating life with multiple health conditions.


We have selected some episodes we think may help you manage your journey with multiple conditions:

  • Ep 18: The Juggling Act: Living with Multiple Conditions

    In this episode of AiArthritis Voices , patient co-hosts Tiffany Westrich-Robertson and Simon Stones discuss the prevalence and logistics of living with multiple conditions. Most health systems have moved away from a model where General Practitioners/Primary Care Physicians are managing all aspects of patient care to a model that places more emphasis on specialists and a depth of expertise in a specific disease. The downside to this is it has created a system where patients must be their own Care Coordinators, yet most have no experience or understanding of how to do this. What can be done to change the system? What can you do in the meantime to ensure that your health is not slipping through the cracks?

    Check Out the Episode

  • Ep: 42 Treat 2 Target Today with Complex Diseases - Is It Possible?

    Join TIffany and Rick as they address the challenges involved as Treat 2 Target has emerged from aggressive treatments for a larger population to treating per the individual and based on the complexity of each disease. 

    Check Out the Episode!

  • Ep 86: Organ Involvement: Disease Symptom or Comorbidity?

    What are some common comorbidities associated with AiArthritis Diseases? And how could they impact you?




    In this episode, Tiffany will discuss how different organs can be impacted by the disease and the difference between an organ being part of a disease and being a comorbidity. Tiffany will be exploring some examples of organs being affected in various diseases such as eyes, heart, gastrointestinal, and kidneys, as well as a newer autoimmune disease, IgG4, that is commonly being diagnosed for patients alongside their AiArthritis disease.

    Check Out the Episode

  • Ep. 89: Surgery with an AiArthritis Disease

    Tune in to the latest episode of AiArthritis Voices 360 Talk Show, where your co-hosts Leila, Deb, and Kerry candidly share their personal journeys of undergoing surgery while living with AiArthritis diseases. In this episode, the co-hosts delve into their surgical experiences, including the pivotal surgeries they've had due to their conditions. From Deb's journey triggered by a bunion removal to Kerry's hip replacement due to the complex interplay of autoimmune conditions or Leila’s gastric sleeve surgery due to weight gain from treatments, the trio reflects on the unexpected intersections of surgeries and AiArthritis diseases.


    Listen

  • Ep 99: AiArthritis Diseases and Protecting Against COVID-19 in Healthcare Settings

    In this episode, co-hosts Charis Hill and Jae Walker delve into life after COVID-19, focusing on the unique challenges faced by individuals with AiArthritis diseases. They discuss the importance of continued precautions in healthcare settings, share their own personal experiences, and offer practical advice for staying safe. Tune in for an insightful conversation on navigating a post-COVID world while managing chronic illnesses.

    Listen

Share Your Story & Get Involved!

Sometimes the best medicine is diving in to learn more, meeting those who have similar lived experiences, and doing activities that can help to improve your health and the AiArthritis community!

Share Your Story:

Your co-existing condition story is unique and can potentially help us to help other patients. Let us know about your journey and when your co-existing conditions came into the picture. What would you want fellow patients to know about living with co-existing conditions? Your patient-identified issues can aid us in creating patient-infused solutions.

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