Post 9/11 Autoimmune Disease Risk Save

The 9/11/01 terrorist attach on the World Trade Center (WTC)  resulted in at least 2,977 fatalities, over 25,000 injuries, and caused at least $10 billion in infrastructure and property damage.  Arthritis & Rheumatology reports that dust cloud exposure among responders and PTSD among community members was associated with a significant increased risk of new‐onset systemic autoimmune disease. 

Subsequently there have been reports of illness stemming from the potential toxic exposures among responders and

Analysis of 43,133 WTC Health Registry enrollees found 2,786 wiht self‐reported having a post‐9/11 systemic autoimmune disease.  Diagnoses of autoimmune diseases were validated by classification criteria, rheumatologist diagnosis, or having been prescribed systemic autoimmune disease medication and compated to controls without autoimmune disease (n = 37,017).

Among 9/11 responders exposed to intense dust cloud exposure there was a near doubling of the risk of systemic autoimmune disease (adjusted risk ratio 1.86 [95% confidence interval 1.02–3.40]).

Community members with PTSD had a nearly 3‐fold increased risk of systemic autoimmune disease.

Among 118 persons with autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis was most frequent (n = 71), followed by Sjogren's syndrome (n = 22), systemic lupus erythematosus (n = 20), myositis (n = 9), mixed connective tissue disease (n = 7), and scleroderma (n = 4). 

There appears to be apotential increased risk of systemic autoimmune disease in those exposed to the consequences of the 9/11 attack.