Epidemiology of systemic sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Epidemiology
• Immunology

Background:

• Systemic sclerosis epidemiology shows a rising prevalence of the limited form.
• Identifying genetic susceptibility alleles for systemic sclerosis has yielded limited success.
• Previous research on occupational and environmental factors has focused on silicone gel breast implants without proven association.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent findings on systemic sclerosis epidemiology.
• To discuss the current understanding of genetic and environmental factors in systemic sclerosis.
• To highlight the limited success in identifying disease susceptibility genes.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent epidemiological studies on systemic sclerosis.
• Analysis of molecular genetic investigations for susceptibility alleles.
• Evaluation of studies on occupational and environmental influences, including silicone gel breast implants and organic solvents.

Main Results:

• The limited form of systemic sclerosis appears more prominent in recent studies.
• Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) class II allele associations (DP, DQ, DR) are more related to autoimmune response than susceptibility.
• Studies on silicone gel breast implants have failed to establish an association; however, organic solvents remain implicated in some cases.

Conclusions:

• The epidemiology of systemic sclerosis is evolving, with a notable increase in the limited subtype.
• Genetic factors, particularly HLA associations, offer insights into the autoimmune response but not disease susceptibility.
• Environmental factors, specifically organic solvents, continue to be investigated as potential contributors to systemic sclerosis etiology.