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Occupational risk factors for the development of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Cooper, GS; Parks, CG; Treadwell, EL; St Clair, EW; Gilkeson, GS; Dooley, MA
Published in: J Rheumatol
October 2004

OBJECTIVE: There have been few studies of occupational exposures and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We examined the association between the risk of SLE and occupational exposures (mercury, solvents, and pesticides), specific jobs (ever worked in teaching, healthcare, and cosmetology), and working night or rotating shifts. METHODS: Patients with recently diagnosed SLE (n = 265) were recruited through 4 university based and 30 community based rheumatology practices in North Carolina and South Carolina, USA. Controls (n = 355) were identified through driver's license records and were frequency matched to patients by age, sex, and state. Data collection included an in-person interview with detailed farming and work histories. RESULTS: Associations were seen with self-reported occupational exposure to mercury (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.3, 10.0), mixing pesticides for agricultural work (OR 7.4, 95% CI 1.4, 40.0), and among dental workers (OR 7.1, 95% CI 2.2, 23.4). Although these associations were fairly strong and statistically significant, the prevalence of these exposures was very low and thus these estimates are based on a small number of exposed cases and controls. Weaker associations were seen between SLE and shift work (OR 1.6, 95% CI 0.99, 2.7) and among healthcare workers with patient contact (OR 1.7, 95% CI 0.99, 2.9). There was no association of SLE with use of solvents or among teachers or cosmetologists. CONCLUSION: This study reveals the potential contribution of occupational exposures to the development of SLE, and highlights some exposures and experiences that should be examined in other studies using more extensive exposure assessment techniques and in experimental studies of autoimmunity.

Duke Scholars

Published In

J Rheumatol

ISSN

0315-162X

Publication Date

October 2004

Volume

31

Issue

10

Start / End Page

1928 / 1933

Location

Canada

Related Subject Headings

  • South Carolina
  • Solvents
  • Risk Factors
  • Occupational Exposure
  • North Carolina
  • Mercury
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
  • Humans
  • Employment
  • Case-Control Studies
 

Citation

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MLA
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Cooper, G. S., Parks, C. G., Treadwell, E. L., St Clair, E. W., Gilkeson, G. S., & Dooley, M. A. (2004). Occupational risk factors for the development of systemic lupus erythematosus. J Rheumatol, 31(10), 1928–1933.
Cooper, Glinda S., Christine G. Parks, Edward L. Treadwell, E William St Clair, Gary S. Gilkeson, and Mary Anne Dooley. “Occupational risk factors for the development of systemic lupus erythematosus.J Rheumatol 31, no. 10 (October 2004): 1928–33.
Cooper GS, Parks CG, Treadwell EL, St Clair EW, Gilkeson GS, Dooley MA. Occupational risk factors for the development of systemic lupus erythematosus. J Rheumatol. 2004 Oct;31(10):1928–33.
Cooper, Glinda S., et al. “Occupational risk factors for the development of systemic lupus erythematosus.J Rheumatol, vol. 31, no. 10, Oct. 2004, pp. 1928–33.
Cooper GS, Parks CG, Treadwell EL, St Clair EW, Gilkeson GS, Dooley MA. Occupational risk factors for the development of systemic lupus erythematosus. J Rheumatol. 2004 Oct;31(10):1928–1933.

Published In

J Rheumatol

ISSN

0315-162X

Publication Date

October 2004

Volume

31

Issue

10

Start / End Page

1928 / 1933

Location

Canada

Related Subject Headings

  • South Carolina
  • Solvents
  • Risk Factors
  • Occupational Exposure
  • North Carolina
  • Mercury
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
  • Humans
  • Employment
  • Case-Control Studies