Occupational Exposures (Metals, Solvents, and Pesticides) and Development of ANCA-Associated Small-Vessel Vasculitis (ANCA-SVV) with Glomerular Involvement: A Case-Control Study
Workers are exposed to various environmental agents throughout their lifetimes. Several studies have identified associations between exposure to metals, solvents, and pesticides with chronic renal disease, but few studies have focused specifically on ANCA-glomerulonephritis (GN), a disease often associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. We investigated if associations exist between exposure to metals, solvents, or pesticides and ANCA-GN in a population-based (southeastern U.S.) case-control study. Occupational history and demographic data were collected from 131 cases and 109 controls using computerized telephone interviews. The data were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression while controlling for age, gender, state of residence, and silica exposure. No significant association was observed between exposure (ever versus never) to metals (OR=0.83, CI=0.38-1.81, p-value=0.64) or solvents (OR=1.09, CI=0.57-2.10, p-value=0.80) with ANCA-GNor between duration of exposure (years) and the disease. However, there was a trend observed for an association between a history of pesticide exposure (ever versus never) and ANCA-GN (OR=2.02, CI=0.96-4.24, p-value=0.06). Investigation on duration of pesticide exposure and the intensity of exposure for each of the three exposures described is warranted to gain further insight into their association with ANCA-GN.Master of Science in Public Healt
