FRI0689 EFFECT OF AIR POLLUTION EXPOSURE ON DISEASE ACTIVITY IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS. (June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schioppo, Tommaso; Scotti, Isabella; Iodice, Simona; Hoxha, Mirjam; Lucia, Orazio De; Murgo, Antonella; Bollati, Valentina; Ingegnoli, Francesca
• Is Part Of: Annals of the rheumatic diseases. Volume 78(2019)Supplement 2
• Page Start: 1043
• Page End: 1044
• Publication Date: 2019-06
• Subjects: Rheumatism -- Periodicals; 616.723005
• DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-eular.4822
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-4967

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Environmental exposure (e.g. tobacco smoking, pollution) has been accepted to contribute in autoimmune diseases. Air pollution has been described to be a risk factor for developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Currently, RA disease remission is considered an achievable target in a significant proportion of patients. Nevertheless, diseases flares, that significantly contributes to damage progression and disability, remain unpredictable. Thus, factors able to potentially interfere on disease activity should be considered and assessed. Objectives: The aim of our study is to evaluate the influence of particulate matter (PM) on disease activity and general health (GH) in patients with RA. Methods: Consecutive patients with RA (ACR/EULAR Criteria 2010) resident in Lombardy (Italy) were enrolled. In each patient Disease Activity Score on 28 joints (DAS28), Simple Disease Activity Index (SDAI) and patients' GH were assessed. Daily PM concentrations, estimated by Regional Environmental Protection Agency at municipality resolution, were used to assign short-term exposure from day of visit back to 14 days. Continuous variables are expressed as mean±SD. Categorical variables are presented as absolute numbers and frequencies. Multivariable linear regression models were performed to identify the day of PM10 and PM2.5 independently associated with DAS28, GH and SDAI indices, adjusting for the variables significant at the univariate analysis. GH was log transformed to achieve normality of residuals. β coefficients were reported for 10 μg/m3 increments of PM concentrations. All statistical analyses were performed using SAS 9.4. Results: 258 patients (age at visit 57.4±13.5 years, disease duration 16.2±12.1, female 80.2%, rheumatoid factor and/or anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies positivity 60.5%, smokers 15.5%, radiographic damage 41.5%) were enrolled in the study. Multivariable linear regression models were adjusted for radiographic damage, disease duration and age. Increases of PM2.5 and PM10 exposure (9 day before the visit) were significantly associated with worsening of DAS28, SDAI and GH (table below). PM concentrations in days other than 9 days before were significantly associated with disease activity and GH. Conclusion: In our cohort, PM10 and PM2.5 exposure seems to influence RA disease activity with a lag period that can last until 9 days before the visit. Nevertheless, the association between day-to-day PM changes and disease activity do not confirm causation. Further studied are required to evaluate the influence of air pollution on RA activity. Disclosure of Interests: None declared