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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

Published in:

01-01-2004 | Original Article

A case–control study of occupational exposures and systemic sclerosis

Authors: Massimo Bovenzi, Fabio Barbone, Federica E. Pisa, Alberto Betta, Luciano Romeo, Alberta Tonello, Domenico Biasi, Paola Caramaschi

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 1/2004

Abstract

Objectives

A case–control study was conducted in Verona, Italy, to assess the relationship between occupation, occupational exposures and systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods

Fifty-five cases (46 female and nine male) and 171 controls were recruited. Interviews provided work histories, including job titles, industry and likelihood of occupational exposure to silica, hand–arm vibration, organic solvents, and other chemicals. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated.

Results

Female teachers (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.2–10.1) and textile workers (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.0–4.6) were at an increased risk of SSc. Compared with those never exposed, age-adjusted and gender-adjusted ORs were 2.3 (95% CI 1.0–5.4) among subjects exposed to organic solvents, 2.5 (95% CI 0.8–8.0) for exposure to selected chemicals, 1.7 (95% CI 0.4–7.6) for exposure to silica, and 1.5 (95% CI 0.5–4.8) for usage of vibrating tools. When data analysis was stratified according to gender, only men showed a significant increase in risk for exposure to solvents and selected chemicals.

Conclusions

The findings of this study tend to support the role of organic solvents and certain chemicals in SSc causation. The association with teaching and working in the textile industry suggests that other exposures are involved in the aetiology of SSc among women. However, because of the small number of subjects, particularly in stratified analyses, chance cannot be ruled out as an explanation of some findings of this study.

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Title: A case–control study of occupational exposures and systemic sclerosis
Authors: Massimo Bovenzi
Fabio Barbone
Federica E. Pisa
Alberto Betta
Luciano Romeo
Alberta Tonello
Domenico Biasi
Paola Caramaschi
Publication date: 01-01-2004
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 1/2004
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-003-0462-5

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

A case–control study of occupational exposures and systemic sclerosis

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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