Environmental Risk Factors in Systemic Sclerosis
Environmental Risk Factors in Systemic Sclerosis
Over the years multiple other risk factors have been proposed and provisionally explored.
Epoxy resins have been implicated as a risk factor for SSc in a small number of studies. Diot et al. reported a four times greater SSc likelihood (OR 4.2, 1.03–17.44) in those exposed to epoxy resins, especially within the building trade. Another study identified a weak association between markers of SSc severity, such as pulmonary involvement and negative anticentromere antibodies, and exposure to epoxy resins. In contrast, Silman and Jones failed to identified any overall association (OR 1.7, 0.4–7.3), but, as implied by the wide CIs, these studies were small in size and a future pooled analysis may better determine the importance of this risk factor.
Studies addressing other putative occupational exposures have been inconclusive. These include the investigation of welding fumes and hand-arm vibration.
Other Occupational Risk Factors
Over the years multiple other risk factors have been proposed and provisionally explored.
Epoxy resins have been implicated as a risk factor for SSc in a small number of studies. Diot et al. reported a four times greater SSc likelihood (OR 4.2, 1.03–17.44) in those exposed to epoxy resins, especially within the building trade. Another study identified a weak association between markers of SSc severity, such as pulmonary involvement and negative anticentromere antibodies, and exposure to epoxy resins. In contrast, Silman and Jones failed to identified any overall association (OR 1.7, 0.4–7.3), but, as implied by the wide CIs, these studies were small in size and a future pooled analysis may better determine the importance of this risk factor.
Studies addressing other putative occupational exposures have been inconclusive. These include the investigation of welding fumes and hand-arm vibration.
