Video: Knock on Wood| Webinar: ACR/CHEST ILD Guidelines in Practice
fa-facebookfa-linkedinfa-youtube-playfa-rss

An official publication of the ACR and the ARP serving rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals

Environmental Threats in Rheumatic Disease

  |  Issue: December 2024  |  

Because air pollution is a complex phenomenon, data linking air pollution and rheumatic diseases remain scarce and difficult to interpret. Using ground-level monitoring stations and satellite data, an increasing amount of data to better define and characterize air pollution has been collected. Fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide in air pollution have been associated with lupus flares, RA disease activity and RA risk.

Climate Change

Lastly, Paul Dellaripa, MD, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, discussed the implications of global climate change on patient health.2 Because physicians are trusted sources on climate change, rheumatologists can play important roles in mitigation, adaptation and advocacy. In particular, clinicians can discuss with patients health co-benefits, such as increasing the intake of plant-based food.

ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL TO CONTINUE

In addition, as environmental exposures become more frequent, Dr. Dellaripa contends that clinicians will need to learn how to proactively warn those whose health may be at risk. Potential means to address this challenge include heat alert systems, air quality alert systems, natural disaster contingency plans and mental health services. He concludes by observing that 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions are from the U.S. healthcare system so there is a lot of scope for rheumatologists to help improve our ability to confront these threats.

Bharat Kumar, MD, MME, FACP, FAAAAI, RhMSUS, is the director of the rheumatology fellowship training program at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, and the physician editor of The Rheumatologist. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @BharatKumarMD.

ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL TO CONTINUE

References

  1. Katsumoto TR, Stolyar L, Dandeniya CL, et al. Impact of climate change on rheumatic diseases: A scoping review. J Clim Chang Health. 2024 Sep–Oct;19:100338.
  2. Dellaripa PF, Sung LH, Bain PA, et al.; American College of Rheumatology Committee on Research. American College of Rheumatology white paper: The effects of climate change on rheumatic conditions—An evolving landscape and a path forward. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2024 Oct;76(10):1459-1466. doi: 10.1002/art.42919. Epub 2024 Jun 4. PMID: 38751102; PMCID: PMC11498941.

Related Articles

    Air Pollution: Is There an Association with Rheumatic Disease?

    Interactions between an individual’s genetic background and their exposure to environmental factors are thought to result in a cascade of immune reactions, ultimately leading to the development of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and juvenile dermatomyositis.1,2 For example, an environmental factor that conclusively affects susceptibility…

    Oksana Kuzmina/shutterstock.comx

    Environmental Factors in Pediatric Systemic Autoimmune Diseases

    Systemic autoimmune diseases are thought to result from immune dysregulation in genetically susceptible individuals who were exposed to environmental risk factors. Many studies have identified genetic risk factors for these diseases, but concordance rates among monozygotic twins are 25–40%, suggesting that nonheritable environmental factors play a more prominent role.1,2 Through carefully conducted epidemiologic and other…

    Lupus: Closer to a Cause?

    Two studies outline the roles of air pollution and T cell imbalance in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus.

    The Impact of Climate Change

    Although research is still emerging, evidence suggests changes in climate, such as increases in heat, pollution and allergens, may increase the risk of flare and hospitalization in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and other rheumatic conditions. Paul Dellaripa, MD, discussed the research and how rheumatologists can help their patients.