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Sarcoid and Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk Increased by Silica Exposure

A Swedish study has shown that occupational silica exposure increases the incidence rates of sarcoidosis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in those exposed workers in Swedish iron foundries.

Researchers studied personnel records from 10 iron foundries to identify workers who may be at risk.  They examined 2187 silica-exposed male workers exposed for at least 1 year for a total of 23,807 person-years at risk.

Incidence rates of sarcoidosis and RA were increased nearly 3 fold (Sarcoid: 3.94; 95% CI 1.07 to 10.08; and seropositive RA 2.59; 95% CI 1.24 to 4.76), especially among highly exposed individuals.

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Disclosures
The author has no conflicts of interest to disclose related to this subject