Environmental factors influencing the risk of ANCA-associated vasculitis
Environmental factors influencing the risk of ANCA-associated vasculitis
Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a group of diseases characterized by inflammation and destruction of small and medium-sized blood vessels. Clinical disease phenotypes include microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), granulomatosis ...
Multiple case reports have shown that sustained exposure to silica in an occupational environment resulted in a significantly increased risk of ANCA positivity.
A meta-analysis involving six case-control studies showed that silica exposure was positively associated with AAV incidence.
Additionally, exposure to air pollutants, such as carbon monoxide (CO), is a risk factor for AAV.
Silica is one of the most abundant minerals on earth, and exposure to silica dust has been identified as a risk factor for many SARDs, including SS, RA, SLE, and AAV .
Individuals working in agriculture, mills, drilling, painting, and textiles have been identified to have a greater risk of developing AAV disease .
Multiple case reports have shown that continuous exposure to silica increases the risk of positive ANCA.
Several studies have described cases of silica exposure and AAV.
Main and Wroe described three cases of silica-exposed patients with AAV, two of whom still required dialysis after treatment.
Analysis of the occupational histories of 16 patients with AAV revealed that patients with vasculitis were more likely to be exposed to silica than controls
