Environmental factors, systemic lupus

For some autoimmune diseases, little is known about environmental factors involved in the initiation or progression of the disease. For other diseases, however, considerable research has been conducted on one or more types of exposures. Most epidemiologic studies of environmental influences have focused on multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, and small vessel vasculitis, but experimental studies using murine models of these diseases is limited (Table 25.1). 

Cooper, G.S. and Parks, C.G., Occupational and Environmental Exposures as Risk Factors for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Cu.r. Rheum. Reports, 6, 367, 2004. 

Cooper GS, Dooley MA, Treadwell EL, et al. Hormonal, environmental, and infectious risk factors for developing systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Rheum 1998 41 1714-1724. 

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