Exposures to silica dust, solvents or heavy metals increase the likelihood of developing various forms of myositis, especially more severe forms involving the lungs, according to data published in Arthritis Care & Research. The study originated with a questionnaire from the myositis registry MYOVISION, which asked about potential environmental risk factors in addition to other clinical

Key takeaways:

  • Silica exposure was linked to overlap myositis and myositis with lung disease symptoms, while smoking further increased risk.

  • Myositis with lung disease symptoms was also associated with moderate-to-high heavy metals, solvents exposure.

Exposures to silica dust, solvents or heavy metals increase the likelihood of developing various forms of myositis, especially more severe forms involving the lungs.

“The findings of this study suggest that exposure to certain chemicals through occupation or hobbies — shown to be a risk factor for systemic, autoimmune rheumatic diseases — may also be associated with specific clinical subgroups of disease, particularly those associated with lung disease,” Rider said. “In addition to the interaction with smoking, we saw some evidence that risk may increase as one is exposed to more of these factors.”