Bovenzi M, Barbone F, Betta A, Tommasini M, Versini W
Institute of Occupational Health, University of Trieste, Italy.
Scand J Work Environ Health. 1995 Aug;21(4):289-92. doi: 10.5271/sjweh.40.
A case-referent study was conducted in the province of Trento, Italy, to investigate the possible association between occupational exposure and scleroderma (systemic and localized variants).
Twenty-one cases of scleroderma were ascertained from the computerized admission files of all of the local hospitals from 1976 to 1991. For each case, two age- and gender-matched referents were selected that were discharged from the hospital on the same day as the case. The subjects were interviewed with a structured questionnaire which included items for personal, work, and medical history. Exposure to organic solvents, other selected chemicals, silica dust, and hand-arm vibration was carefully investigated.
A significant association was found between exposure to organic solvents (aromatic hydrocarbons) and scleroderma [odds ratio (OR) 9.28, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.08-243.8]. For the men, the OR for exposure to silica was 5.20 (95% CI 0.48-74.1), whereas for the women it was 2.11 (95% CI 0.20-22.0) for exposure to other selected chemicals.
The results of this case-referent study are consistent with those of previous case reports on the important role of occupation in the etiology of scleroderma. In particular, our findings confirm that exposure to organic solvents and silica is associated with this rare connective tissue disease.
在意大利特伦托省开展了一项病例对照研究，以调查职业暴露与硬皮病（系统性和局限性变种）之间可能存在的关联。
从1976年至1991年当地所有医院的计算机化入院档案中确定了21例硬皮病病例。对于每例病例，选择两名年龄和性别匹配的对照，他们与病例在同一天出院。通过结构化问卷对受试者进行访谈，问卷包括个人、工作和病史项目。仔细调查了有机溶剂、其他选定化学品、二氧化硅粉尘和手臂振动的暴露情况。
发现有机溶剂（芳烃）暴露与硬皮病之间存在显著关联[优势比（OR）9.28，95%置信区间（95%CI）1.08 - 243.8]。对于男性，二氧化硅暴露的OR为5.20（95%CI 0.48 - 74.1），而对于女性，其他选定化学品暴露的OR为2.11（95%CI 0.20 - 22.0）。
这项病例对照研究的结果与先前关于职业在硬皮病病因学中重要作用的病例报告结果一致。特别是，我们的研究结果证实，有机溶剂和二氧化硅暴露与这种罕见的结缔组织疾病有关。
