Vapour, gas, dust and fume occupational exposures in male patients with rheumatoid arthritis resident in Cornwall (UK) and their association with rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic protein antibodies: a retrospective clinical study.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES:To quantify exposure to vapour, gas, dust and fumes (VGDF) and smoking in male rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and investigate impact on rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) levels. DESIGN:A retrospective observational study. SETTING:The Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust, UK. A single university hospital setting. PARTICIPANTS:726 men followed up between February 2015 and August 2016, fulfilling RA diagnostic criteria. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Prevalence of VGDF exposure and smoking prior to RA diagnosis. Determination of association between VGDF, smoking and autoantibody levels. RESULTS:546/726 (75%) had been exposed to VGDF for >1 year. 561/726 (77%) had been smokers. Only 58/726 (8%) had no exposure to VGDF and had never smoked. A significant difference in

SUBMITTER: Murphy D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5961584 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature