Key clinical point: Exposure to environmental polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) was significantly associated with an increased prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the US population, and PAH mediated the majority of the effects of smoking in RA.
Major finding: Risk of developing RA was significantly higher in participants in the highest vs lowest quartile of 1-hydroxynaphthalene level (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.8; P = .020) and PAH body burden scores (aOR 2.2; P = .028). PAH body burden accounted for ~90% of the total effect of smoking on RA.
Study details: Findings are from a cross-sectional study including adult participants with (n = 1418) or without (n = 20,569) RA who underwent assessments for PAH, phthalate and plasticizer metabolite, and volatile organic compound body burden.
Disclosures: This study did not declare any specific funding source. The lead author declared receiving personal fees from Cleveland HeartLab, unrelated to this study, and holding a patent.
Source: Beidelschies M et al. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and risk of rheumatoid arthritis: A cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007–2016. BMJ Open. 2023;13(5):e071514 (May 9). Doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-071514