Pulmonary silicosis and systemic lupus erythematosus in men: a report of two cases.
We reporttwo cases of coexistence of pulmonary silicosis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The patients are two men with SLE exposed to silica for 20 years. The hypothesis that silica exposure is linked to a wide variety of known or suspected autoimmune diseases, including SLE, has been discussed in the last decade but few cases of pulmonary silicosis and SLE were reported. Our purpose was to bring attention to the increasing evidence that silica may also cause or stimulate SLE, and to suggest that the researchers look for occupational exposure, mainly in male SLE patients.
Costallat
Lilian Tereza Lavras
LT
Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
De Capitani
Eduardo Mello
EM
Zambon
Lair
L
D000328:Adult; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D012829:Silicosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D001379:Azathioprine; D011241:Prednisone