| Causes of Scleroderma (MAIN MENU) |
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| Causes
of Scleroderma: Solvents |
| Benzene,
Trichloroethylene, Paint Thinners and Removers |
| This page
was written by Shelley
Ensz and has not yet been medically edited. |
|
|
| Overview |
| Occupational exposure to solvents
such as benzene, trichloroethylene, paint thinners and paint
removers may be a cause of scleroderma in some cases. |
| Occupational
Exposure to Solvents and Gender-Related Risk of Systemic
Sclerosis (SSc): a Metaanalysis of Case-Control Studies. Whereas
SSc affects women predominantly, among subjects with occupational
exposure to solvents, men are at higher risk than women for
the disease. J Rheumatol 2007 January;34:97–103. |
| Systemic
Sclerosis and Occupational Risk Factors: Role of Solvents
and Cleaning Products. Exposure to either cleaning products
or solvents emerged as a risk factor for SSc. Exposure factors
should be characterized and results of all studies compared
to implement appropriate preventive measures in relevant
workplaces. J Rheumatol. December 2004;31:2395-401. |
| Solvents and Scleroderma |
| Genetic basis for systemic sclerosis. Investigations into the genetics of systemic sclerosis may shed light on the complex pathophysiology of this disease, help to identify factors that predict organ involvement, and suggest new treatment strategies. Science Direct. Oct 2007. (Also see: Causes of Scleroderma: Genetics, Silica, and Environmental Factors) |
| Evidence
Increases For Toxicity Of trichloroethylene (TCE). The
National Research Council found that TCE is a potential cause
of kidney cancer and that it may cause reproductive and developmental
problems, impaired neurological function, and autoimmune
disease. Chemical & Engineering News. 07/28/06. |
| Conjugal
progressive systemic sclerosis. We report here a case
of systemic sclerosis in a wife and husband who both developed
the onset of illness within a 10-year period. Solvent exposure
was noted. PubMed. Rev Med Interne. 2006 Jan;27(1):63-65. |
| Epidemiology
of organic solvents and connective tissue disease. Case
reports suggest that solvents are associated with various
connective tissue diseases (systemic sclerosis, scleroderma,
undifferentiated connective tissue disease, systemic lupus
erythematosis, and rheumatoid arthritis), particularly systemic
sclerosis. Arthritis Res. 2000; 2(1): 5–15. |
| Amyloid
deposition associated with generalized morphea-like scleroderma. (The
patient) had been occupationally exposed to organic solvents.
As far as we know, amyloid deposition associated with generalized
morphea-like scleroderma has not been reported until now. PubMed.
Eur J Dermatol. 2003 Sep-Oct;13(5):509-11. (Also see: Morphea) |
| A
63 year old man developed generalized scleroderma with massive
sclerotic areas, particularly in the abdominal region, four
years after being diagnosed with porphyria cutanea tarda
(PCT). He had almost daily exposure to organic solvents
(benzene, trichlorethylene) for many years. The pansclerotic
PCT was differentiated from a systemic sclerosis, a disabling
pansclerotic morphea and a generalized morphea by means of
histological examinations, the absence of a Raynaud phenomenon
and the non-involvement of additional organs. Auto-antibodies
typical for systemic sclerosis were negative. Using a medium
dosage of UVA1 phototherapy and intensive physiotherapy,
the progression of the skin disease was stopped and the sclerosis
improved. PubMed. Hautarzt 2003 May;54(5):448-52 (Also
see: Diseases
Similar to Scleroderma) |
| Scleroderma
and Solvent Exposure among Women. In summary, exposures
to paint thinners and removers were
associated with scleroderma in women but showed no evidence
of increasing risk with increasing duration. Exposures to
other specific chlorinated and nonchlorinated hydrocarbon
solvents were not clearly associated with scleroderma. PubMed.
Am J Epidemiol 2003 Mar 15;157(6):493-500. |
| Patient Stories |
| Brenda
M: Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC), Fibromyalgia, Pulmonary
Fibrosis, and Sjogren's Syndrome In 1965, when I was
twenty-six, I went to work for a firm of electro-platers,
which was mainly aircraft work... |
