TY - JOUR T1 - Occupational Risk Factors for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: a Nationwide Study Based on Hospitalizations in Sweden JF - The Journal of Rheumatology JO - J Rheumatol DO - 10.3899/jrheum.110789 SP - jrheum.110789 AU - Xinjun Li AU - Jan Sundquist AU - Kristina Sundquist AU - Bengt Zöller Y1 - 2012/03/01 UR - http://www.jrheum.org/content/early/2012/02/28/jrheum.110789.abstract N2 - Objective To investigate possible associations between occupation and hospitalization for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a nationwide study. Methods A nationwide database was constructed in Sweden by linking the Swedish Census to the Hospital Discharge Register to obtain data on all first hospitalizations with a primary or secondary diagnosis of SLE in adults during the study period (1970 to 2008). Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) and 95% CI were calculated for different occupations. Two cohorts were defined based on occupational titles recorded in Swedish census data in 1970 and 1980. Results A total of 8921 male and 42290 female hospitalizations for SLE were retrieved in individuals aged over 15 years. High education (> 12 yrs) was associated with a lower risk of hospitalization for SLE among both women (SIR = 0.73) and men (SIR = 0.72). Among men with the same occupation in 2 consecutive censuses, increased risks (SIR) > 2.0 were present among artistic workers (2.52); shop managers and assistants (3.63); miners and quarry workers (6.04); shoe and leather workers (6.93); plumbers (2.21); other construction workers (2.08); glass, ceramic and tile workers (4.43); chimney sweeps (4.54); and military personnel (3.01). Among women with the same occupation in 2 consecutive censuses, no occupation was associated with SIR > 2.0. Conclusion Occupation may carry significantly increased risk of hospital admission for SLE. Especially among men, several occupations were associated with increased risks for SLE. ER -