Research Watch, Welding Fumes, December 2006

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TITLE: "Systemic Sclerosis: Epidemiology and Environmental Factors"

AUTHORS: Magnant J, Diot E.

JOURNAL: Atlas de Radiologie Clinique de la Presse Médicale 2006 Dec;35(12 Pt 2):1894-901.

SUMMARY: The pathophysiology of systemic sclerosis (SSc), probably multifactorial, is not yet well elucidated. Among the many endogenous and exogenous factors probably involved, environmental and occupational elements may play an essential role. SSc is a rare disease. Prevalence is estimated between 3 and 24 per 100 000 population. Reports of sporadic clusters of higher prevalence suggest environmental factors, which have not yet been defined. Silica, first suggested in 1917, plays a …