title: Asbestos and smoking as risk factors for idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis: a case-control study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) is a rare disease. Asbestos exposure has been proposed as a risk factor for idiopathic RPF.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the role of asbestos and other occupational agents (such as silica, metals, and organic solvents), as well as environmental agents (such as smoking), and their interactions as potential risk factors for idiopathic RPF.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case-control study.
  
  
  METHODS
  National referral hospital for idiopathic RPF.
  
  
  METHODS
  90 patients with idiopathic RPF and 270 control participants matched for age, sex, and region of residency.
  
  
  METHODS
  Occupational history was obtained using structured questionnaires administered by blinded specialists in occupational medicine. Exposure to nonoccupational agents and presence of diseases that were potentially predisposing to idiopathic RPF were assessed through patient interviews and examination of medical records.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A history of asbestos exposure was associated with idiopathic RPF (odds ratio [OR], 4.22 [95% CI, 2.14 to 8.33]). Both current smoking (OR, 3.21 [CI, 1.46 to 7.07]) and former smoking (OR, 2.93 [CI, 1.39 to 6.14]) were more prevalent among patients than among those who never smoked. A multiplicative effect was found between tobacco smoke and both occupational asbestos exposure (OR, 12.04 [CI, 4.32 to 38.28]) and extraoccupational asbestos exposure (OR, 8.42 [CI, 2.77 to 30.58]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Retrospective, questionnaire-based assessment of occupational exposure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exposure to asbestos and tobacco smoke resulted in strong risk factors for idiopathic RPF. Coexposure to asbestos and smoke had a multiplicative effect on risk compared with single exposure.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  None.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goldoni
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bonini
authors.forename: Maria L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Urban
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palmisano
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Palma
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Galletti
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Coggiola
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Buzio
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mutti
authors.forename: Augusto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vaglio
mesh_terms: D001194:Asbestos / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015995:Prevalence; D012185:Retroperitoneal Fibrosis / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D001194:Asbestos