Potential occupational and environmental factors in SSc onset

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Environmental Medicine
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Systemic sclerosis (SSc), or scleroderma, is a rare connective tissue disease characterized by chronic, progressive fibrosis affecting multiple organ systems.
• SSc presents in subsets including diffuse SSc (dSSc), limited SSc (lSSc), and scleroderma without sclerosis (SSSC).
• The exact pathogenesis of SSc remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize current data on environmental and occupational factors implicated in the onset of Systemic Sclerosis.

Main Methods:

• This review synthesizes existing literature on known and potential environmental and occupational triggers for SSc.
• Data on factors with established correlations and those requiring further investigation were analyzed.

Main Results:

• A strong correlation exists between SSc onset and exposure to crystalline silica and various organic solvents (e.g., white spirit, aromatic solvents, chlorinated solvents, ketones, welding fumes).
• The role of other potential factors such as asbestos, air pollution, certain chemicals, silicone breast implants, smoking, drug reactions, diet, and heavy metals requires additional research.

Conclusions:

• While the complete pathogenesis of SSc is not fully elucidated, significant evidence links the disease's development to specific environmental and occupational exposures.
• Further studies are warranted to clarify the contribution of numerous other suspected environmental and occupational factors to SSc etiology.