SCLERODERMA AND OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE

Objectives A case-referent study was conducted in the province of Tren to, Italy, to investigate the possible association between occupationa l exposure and scleroderma (systemic and localized variants). Methods 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 we re discharged from the hospital on the same day as the case. The subje cts were interviewed with a structured questionnaire which included it ems for personal, work, and medical history. Exposure to organic solve nts, other selected chemicals, silica dust, and hand-arm vibration was carefully investigated. Results A significant association was found b etween exposure to organic solvents (aromatic hydrocarbons) and sclero derma [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 exposu re to other selected chemicals. Conclusions The results of this case-r eferent study are consistent with those of previous case reports on th e important role of occupation in the etiology of scleroderma. In part icular, our findings confirm that exposure to organic solvents and sil ica is associated with this rare connective tissue disease.