Exposure to ambient benzene, genetic susceptibility, and incident rheumatic diseases in the UK
- 1Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing University of Chinese Medicine
- 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University (Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children)
- 3School of General Education, Chongqing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Abstract
Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and gout are prevalent rheumatic diseases.
Methods: We examined the associations of long-term ambient benzene exposure and genetic susceptibility with incident SLE, RA, and gout, as well as their joint associations with disease risk.
Results: Among participants with available ambient benzene estimates during the median follow-up of 13.6 to 13.7 years, 469 SLE, 7,494 RA, and 9,816 gout cases occurred during follow-up. Compared with participants with the lowest benzene exposure, those with the highest exposure had approximately 39, 17, and 26% higher risks of SLE, RA, and gout, respectively. Participants with both high benzene exposure and high genetic susceptibility consistently showed the highest disease risks.
Conclusion: This large UK cohort study found that both ambient benzene exposure and genetic risk factors were collectively associated with increased risks of SLE, RA, and gout.
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BibTeX
@article{zhang2026exposure,
title = {{Exposure to ambient benzene, genetic susceptibility, and incident rheumatic diseases in the UK}},
author = {Yangchang Zhang and Dongni Huang and Yang Pu and Bin Wu},
journal = {Frontiers in Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpubh.2026.1931281},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1931281/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Exposure to ambient benzene, genetic susceptibility, and incident rheumatic diseases in the UK
AU - Yangchang Zhang
AU - Dongni Huang
AU - Yang Pu
AU - Bin Wu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/08
JO - Frontiers in Public Health
DO - 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1931281
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1931281/full
AB - Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and gout are prevalent rheumatic diseases. Methods: We examined the associations of long-term ambient benzene exposure and genetic susceptibility with incident SLE, RA, and gout, as well as their joint associations with disease risk. Results: Among participants with available ambient benzene estimates during the median follow-up of 13.6 to 13.7 years, 469 SLE, 7,494 RA, and 9,816 gout cases occurred during follow-up. Compared with participants with the lowest benzene exposure, those with the highest exposure had approximately 39, 17, and 26% higher risks of SLE, RA, and gout, respectively. Participants with both high benzene exposure and high genetic susceptibility consistently showed the highest disease risks. Conclusion: This large UK cohort study found that both ambient benzene exposure and genetic risk factors were collectively associated with increased risks of SLE, RA, and gout.
SN - 2296-2565
ER -