Environment and lupus-related diseases

G. Zandman-Goddard*, M. Solomon, Z. Rosman, E. Peeva, Y. Shoenfeld

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

95 Scopus citations

Abstract

Clinical manifestations of lupus are encountered in a variety of disease entities, including isolated cutaneous lupus, undifferentiated connective tissue disease, mixed connective tissue disease, drug-induced lupus, overlap syndrome, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). While each entity has been recognized as a specific disease with its own diverse clinical and serological pattern, one could argue that many findings are common. Could it be that all of these entities actually represent a spectrum of one disease? Could it be that rather than the genetic predisposition and hence controlled factors that govern this spectrum of diseases, that environmental factors associated with SLE could also play a role in the different entities of this spectrum? The traditional environmental triggers in SLE include sunlight and ultraviolet (UV) light, infections, smoking, and medications including biologics such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) blockers. In this review, we update and further substantiate these traditional factors in the various lupus-related syndromes. We will also discuss the association with vaccine exposure, industrial estrogens, and other factors.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)241-250
Number of pages10
JournalLupus
Volume21
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2012

Keywords

  • antiphospholipid syndrome
  • cutaneous lupus
  • drug-induced lupus
  • mixed connective tissue disease
  • systemic lupus erythematosus
  • undifferentiated connective tissue disease

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Environment and lupus-related diseases'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this