Occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica and autoimmunity: sex differences in mouse models

In this study, the authors show an exposure-dependent association between respirable silica and rheumatic diseases such as systemic sclerosis (SSc) and rheumatoid arthritis. This exposure-response relation was especially demonstrated in male workers, suggesting either a gender effect or the impact of higher/longer exposure in men as compared with women. These sex differences have also been highlighted in recent single-centre and nationwide studies in SSc.2,3
Source: International Journal of Epidemiology - Category: Epidemiology Source Type: research