Air Pollution Increases Autoimmunity Risk

It remains unclear why some individuals develop autoimmune diseases while others do not. Current data suggests that it is likely a combination of genetics and environmental factors. A study titled “Association between long-term exposure to air pollution and immune-mediated diseases: a population-based cohort study,” published in the Journal of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases, proposes that air pollution is one possible environmental contributor.

In this study, scientists analyzed medical data from 81,636 individuals in Italy, along with air pollution data from the Italian Institute of Environmental Protection and Research. Their aim was to investigate the potential correlation between air pollution levels and the incidence of autoimmune diseases. Their findings suggest a significant link between air pollution and autoimmunity, indicating that higher levels of air pollution correspond to an increased risk of developing autoimmune diseases.

More data is needed to understand this association and the mechanism through which air pollution may contribute to autoimmunity.

Citation:

Adami, G., et al. (2022). Association between long-term exposure to air pollution and immune-mediated diseases: a population-based cohort study. RMD open, 8(1), e002055. https://doi.org/10.1136/rmdopen-2021-002055