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

BMJ Open
D MurphyD Hutchinson

Abstract

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. A retrospective observational study. The Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust, UK. A single university hospital setting. 726 men followed up between February 2015 and August 2016, fulfilling RA diagnostic criteria. Prevalence of VGDF exposure and smoking prior to RA diagnosis. Determination of association between VGDF, smoking and autoantibody levels. 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 RF levels was observed between unexposed and VGDF exposed never smokers (median RF 24 vs 36, p=0.03), more marked when comparing unexposed with ≥2 VGDF exposures (median RF 24 vs 57, p=0.02). A significant difference in RF levels was also observed between unexposed and VGDF exposed smokers (median RF 71 vs RF 95, p=0.04), more marked when comparing unexposed with ≥2 VGDF exposures (median RF 71 vs RF 113, p=0.01). A significant difference in RF titre was observed between never smokers >2 VGDF exposures and smok...Continue Reading

Software Mentioned

Number Cruncher Statistical System ( NCSS60
Excel

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