Scleroderma and Occupational Exposure

Objectives A case-referent study was conducted in the province of Trento, Italy, to investigate the possible association between occupational exposure and scleroderma (systemic and localized variants). Methods Twenty-one cases of scleroderma were ascertained from the computerized admission files of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment ＆ Health Environment ＆ Health, 1995-08, Vol.21 (4), p.289-292
Main Authors: Bovenzi, Massimo, Barbone, Fabio, Betta, Alberto, Tommasini, Michele, Versini, Walter
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aromatic hydrocarbons
Biological and medical sciences
Case control studies
Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases
Chemical hazards
Confidence Intervals
Epidemiology
Female
Humans
Hydrocarbons - adverse effects
Incidence
Italy - epidemiology
Male
Medical sciences
Men
Occupational Diseases - epidemiology
Occupational Diseases - etiology
Occupational Exposure - adverse effects
Odds Ratio
Operating rooms
Reference Values
Referents
Risk Factors
scleroderma
Scleroderma, Localized - epidemiology
Scleroderma, Localized - etiology
Scleroderma, Systemic - epidemiology
Scleroderma, Systemic - etiology
Sex Distribution
Short Communications
Silicon Dioxide - adverse effects
Solvents
Solvents - adverse effects
Systemic scleroderma
Toxicology
Various organic compounds
Vibration
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Summary:Objectives A case-referent study was conducted in the province of Trento, Italy, to investigate the possible association between occupational exposure and scleroderma (systemic and localized variants). Methods Twenty-one cases of scleroderma were ascertained from the computerized admission files of all of the local hospitals from 1976 to 1991. For each case, two age-and gender-matched referents were selected that were discharged from the hospital on the same day as the case. The subjects were interviewed with a structured questionnaire which included items for personal, work, and medical history. Exposure to organic solvents, other selected chemicals, silica dust, and hand-arm vibration was carefully investigated. Results A significant association was found between exposure to organic solvents (aromatic hydrocarbons) and scleroderma [odds ratio (OR) 9.28, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.08—243.8]. For the men, the OR for exposure to silica was 5.20 (95% CI 0.48— 74.1), whereas for the women it was 2.11 (95% CI 0.20—22.0) for exposure to other selected chemicals. Conclusions The results of this case-referent study are consistent with those of previous case reports on the important role of occupation in the etiology of scleroderma. In particular, our findings confirm that exposure to organic solvents and silica is associated with this rare connective tissue disease.
ISSN:0355-3140
1795-990X
DOI:10.5271/sjweh.40