Letter from the Editor: Chemical exposure and sclerosing disorders

In this issue of the JAAD, Muntyanu et al discuss the association between organic solvent exposure and scleroderma. Patients were considered exposed if they self-reported exposures to chlorinated (eg, vinyl chloride, trichloroethylene, and dry cleaning solutions) and aromatic solvents (eg, toluene, benzene, and paint thinners/removers). Multivariate regression analysis suggested association between exposure and a higher risk of renal crisis and severe gastrointestinal disease and a nonstatistically significant trend toward diffuse systemic sclerosis, higher antitopoisomerase, and lower anticentromere antibodies. Organic solvent exposure and systemic sclerosis: A retrospective cohort study based on the Canadian Scleroderma Research Group registryJournal of the American Academy of DermatologyPreviewSystemic sclerosis (SSc) is a fibrosing systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease, hypothesized to be triggered by external factors in genetically predisposed individuals.1,2 Although occupational exposure to silica is a well-established risk factor for SSc development/severity, data on organic solvents (OSs), and impact on SSc disease phenotype are scarce.1,2 Full-Text PDF