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The Relationship between Climate Change and Rheumatic Disease: A Review.
Sofia Zeidan1, Barton L Wise2,3
1UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA, szeidan@health.ucdavis.edu.
International Archives of Allergy and Immunology
|March 21, 2026
Summary
Climate change, marked by rising heat and wildfire smoke, is increasingly linked to rheumatic and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. These environmental factors can trigger flares, worsen existing conditions, and elevate disease biomarkers.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Climate change is escalating environmental hazards, including wildfires, heatwaves, and air pollution.
- While pulmonary effects are well-documented, climate change's impact on rheumatic and autoimmune diseases is less recognized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the association between climate change-related environmental exposures and rheumatic/autoimmune diseases.
- To highlight the less visible health impacts of climate change on inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.
Main Methods:
- Review of multiple studies examining environmental heat and air pollution (wildfire smoke) effects.
- Analysis of associations with specific conditions such as gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.
- Examination of impacts on disease flares, hospitalizations, and disease biomarkers.
Main Results:
- Increased environmental heat correlates with gout flares, cardiovascular disease exacerbation, and elevated inflammatory biomarkers.
- Wildfire smoke exposure is linked to increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.
- Particulate matter and gases in smoke contribute to inflammation via oxidative stress.
Conclusions:
- Clinicians must understand the link between climate change manifestations (heat, wildfire smoke) and rheumatic/autoimmune diseases.
- Monitoring patients for these climate-related health effects is crucial.
- Educating patients about these risks empowers proactive health management.
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