Article
Farm exposure as a risk factor for the development of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener’s)
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Published: | September 12, 2014 |
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Background: To investigate the association of farm exposure and the development of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV).
Methods: One hundred-thirty-four well defined patients with AAV (n= 102 with granulomatosis with polyangiitis /GPA and n=32 with microscopic polyangiitis / MPA) and 102 controls (60 with rheumatoid arthritis and 42 with giant cell arteritis) were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Factors investigated were regular farm exposure including contact to cattle, swine or other farm animals within the recent year before diagnosis of AAV. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval was calculated. Controls were matched for their distance to our hospital.
Results: Farm exposure was significantly associated with AAV (OR 2.98 [95% CI 1.07-8.39], p<0.05) compared to controls. The association was strong in the subgroup of patients with GPA (OR 3.23 [95% CI 1.12–9.37], p<0.05). There was no significant association of farming in patients with MPA (OR 2.91 [95% CI 0.73-11.58], p> 0.1)
Conclusion: A significant association between farm exposure and GPA has been identified in our cohort in contrast to patients with MPA. This suggests that both entities are distinct and have different triggers for the immune process.