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Current Rheumatology Reports
Published in: Current Rheumatology Reports 5/2011

01-10-2011

Environmental Exposures and Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk

Authors: Ryan A. Hoovestol, Ted R. Mikuls

Published in: Current Rheumatology Reports | Issue 5/2011

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Abstract

In addition to rapidly burgeoning data regarding novel genetic risk factors, a growing list of environmental exposures have been implicated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) susceptibility. Cigarette smoking is chief among the many environmental exposures implicated in disease risk, accounting for approximately one in six new cases of RA, with recent results underscoring the central importance of select gene–smoking interactions in RA development. In this review, we examine data linking several environmental exposures with RA risk, including cigarette smoking, other air pollutants and occupational exposures, reproductive/hormonal influences, alcohol consumption, select infections leading to periodontal disease, and dietary factors. Where applicable, we review the current understanding of biologic mechanisms linking these environmental factors to disease risk.
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Metadata
Title
Environmental Exposures and Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk
Authors
Ryan A. Hoovestol
Ted R. Mikuls
Publication date
01-10-2011
Publisher
Current Science Inc.
Published in
Current Rheumatology Reports / Issue 5/2011
Print ISSN: 1523-3774
Electronic ISSN: 1534-6307
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-011-0203-9

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