title: Autoimmune disease following the use of silicone gel-filled breast implants: a review of the clinical literature.
abstract: The association between the use of silicone breast implants and the later development of connective tissue disease was reviewed. Data from case reports (only 40 in the world literature), case series, case-control studies, surveys of plastic surgeons, and cohort studies provided no evidence of an association. In many studies, the appropriate information was not collected to evaluate the association. The case-control and cohort studies were too small to detect even moderately increased risks should they exist. Further prospective studies are required to determine the risks of connective tissue disease associated with the use of silicone breast implants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California, San Diego.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Edelman
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: van Os
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D018427:Breast Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012828:Silicones / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D012828:Silicones