Silica and asbestos exposure in ANCA-associated vasculitis with pulmonary involvement

Ren Fail. 2005;27(5):605-8. doi: 10.1080/08860220500200395.

Abstract

Silica and asbestos exposure are thought to belong to the triggering factors of antineutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitis. We carried out a study to find out whether patients with pulmonary involvement attributable to ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) have been exposed to silicon-containing materials. Thirty-one patients (12 women, 19 men, median age 51 years) were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Occupational exposure to silicon-containing chemicals was reported by 22.6% of the patients (12.9% to SiO2, 9.7% to asbestos), compared with 0% of control subjects (p<0.05). Our findings support the pathophysiologic role of silica in AAV.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / immunology
  • Asbestos / adverse effects*
  • Asbestosis / epidemiology*
  • Asbestosis / etiology
  • Czech Republic / epidemiology
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Epidemiological Monitoring
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • Sex Distribution
  • Silicon Dioxide / adverse effects*
  • Silicosis / epidemiology*
  • Silicosis / etiology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous / epidemiology
  • Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous / etiology*
  • Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
  • Asbestos
  • Silicon Dioxide