Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41310962›Full record

SynthesisArthritis & rheumatology (Hoboken, N.J.)2026

Exposure to Occupational Inhalants and the Risk of Developing Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Qianwen Liu, Xin Song, Emily Mauro, Yuan Jiang, Klementy Shchetynsky, Lars Klareskog, Lars Alfredsson, Xia Jiang

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Arthritis & rheumatology (Hoboken, N.J.), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Qianwen LiuDepartment of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.ORCID 0000-0002-1928-4096
Xin SongDepartment of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.ORCID 0000-0003-2343-5835
Emily MauroDepartment of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.ORCID 0009-0000-9836-8396
Yuan JiangDepartment of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.ORCID 0000-0002-4542-9578
Klementy ShchetynskyDepartment of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Lars KlareskogDepartment of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Lars AlfredssonDepartment of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Xia JiangDepartment of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.ORCID 0000-0001-5878-8986

Funding

AFA InsuranceRecruitment Program for Young ProfessionalsScience Fund for Creative Research Groups of Science and Technology Bureau of Sichuan Province 2024NSFTD0030Swedich Researh CouncilThe Swedish Rheumatism Association
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. Although smoking is a well-established risk factor for RA, the role of occupational inhalants in RA development is less well recognized. This study aimed to systematically review and synthesize existing evidence on the association between occupational inhalants and the risk of developing RA.

methodsWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, searching MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science from database inception to November 20, 2024. Eligible studies were cross-sectional, were case-control and cohort designs, were population-based, reported original data on occupational inhalant exposures and RA, measured exposures, included a comparison group, and used reliable RA ascertainment methods. Studies relying solely on self-reported RA or focusing on treatment, prognosis, sick leave, or death were excluded. Two reviewers independently conducted literature screening, data extraction, and risk-of-bias assessment using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Random-effects meta-analyses with relative risk were performed for cohort and case-control studies, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I

resultsIn total, 31 studies met inclusion criteria, and 25 were included in meta-analyses across 10 types of occupational inhalants. Significant associations with RA risk were observed for exposure to silica, asbestos, solvents, pesticides, fertilizers, animal dust, and engine exhaust (relative risks ranging from 1.25 to 1.49). Moderate-to-high heterogeneity was observed in seven meta-analyses.

conclusionOccupational inhalants are associated with increased RA risk, underscoring the importance of workplace prevention strategies and further research into biologic mechanisms.

Indexed as

Arthritis, RheumatoidOccupational DiseasesOccupational ExposureHumansRisk Factors

Identifiers

PMID41310962
PMCPMC13054443

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.