| Causes of Scleroderma (MAIN MENU) | | | |
Causes of Scleroderma:
Artificial Joints and Silicone Breast Implants |
| This page was written by Shelley Ensz and has not yet been medically edited. |
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| Device Implantation Research |
| Are some cases of connective tissue disease, such as scleroderma, related to artificial joints or silicone breast implants? Contradictory findings continue to plague research into this area. |
| Serum proteins and paraproteins in women with silicone implants and connective tissue disease: a case-control study. Women with silicone implants had unexpectedly low serum globulin and immunoglobulin levels, with or without the subsequent development of CTD. The causes and clinical implications of these findings require further investigation. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2007, 9:R95. (Also see: Connective Tissue Disease ) |
| What should be used as tools in women at risk of autoimmune disease? Because of the multifactorial nature of most autoimmune disorders, women seeking breast implants should be screened for the known triggers for developing CTD. Until we have better diagnostic tools, the women at risk of autoimmune diseases should not be considered for implantation of silicone devices for cosmetic purposes. PubMed. Acta Dermatovenerol Croat. 2007;15(1):45. |
| Silicone Breast Implants and Connective Tissue Disease: An Updated Review of the Epidemiologic Evidence. The most recent epidemiologic investigations have been remarkably consistent with earlier epidemiologic studies in finding no evidence of an excess of any individual connective tissue disease or all connective tissue diseases combined, including both established and atypical or undefined connective tissue disease, among women with cosmetic silicone breast implants. PubMed. Ann Plast Surg. 2004 Jun;52(6):598-601. |
| Also see: Causes of Scleroderma: Silica Exposure. |
| Silicone Implant Media Stories |
| Silicone Gel Implants Are Back - How They're Different? In 1999, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) conducted a comprehensive study and concluded the silicone gel breast implants do not cause breast cancer or its reoccurrence, do not contribute to systemic diseases, and do not impede a mother's wish to breastfeed. On November 17, 2006, the FDA approved the marketing of silicone gel implants from two manufacturers. 24-7 Press Release. 03/09/08. |
| Silicone Breast Implants Available Once Again. After years of controversy, the Food and Drug Administration has now approved silicone breast implants for women over the age of 22. The older line of silicone breast implants were pulled from the market amid concern that any rupture or leakage could put women at risk for diseases such as scleroderma, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. NBC10.com 12/14/06. |
| Changing profile: Cosmetic breast augmentation is booming. Even as public health officials, breast manufacturers and anti-implant activists have been warring over the risks of silicone implants, more women than ever are paying the price—and taking the risk—to have perkier or bigger breasts. The Daily News. 06/25/05. |
| Personal Stories Related to Implants |
| Cindy Fuchs-Morrissey: Mother of a Progressive Systemic Sclerosis Child Hilary has an aggressive form of scleroderma with swallowing problems, bowel problems, fatigue, acral bone dysplasia of the hands and feet... |
| Jewell: Diffuse Progressive Systemic Sclerosis When I think back, I had been getting sick for a long time. I just did not know it... |
