Do occupational inhalable agents increase the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis?
Occupational inhalable agents, particularly in combination with smoking and genetic predisposition, are major risk factors for developing ACPA-positive rheumatoid arthritis.
Occupational inhalable agents could act as important environmental triggers in RA development and interact with smoking and RA-risk genes leading to excessive risk for ACPA-positive RA. Future studies are warranted to assess preventive strategies aimed at reducing occupational hazards and smoking, especially among those who are genetically vulnerable.
Tang et al. (Wed,) studied this question.