Alarming research has revealed that living in a busy, polluted city could increase the risk of an autoimmune disease that affects 50,000 Britons.
Scientists have long been trying to figure out what exactly causes systemic lupus erythematosus, better known as lupus.
In this condition, which also affects Selena Gomez, Lady Gaga and Nick Cannon, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue.
But researchers in China now believe that long-term exposure to air pollution “may increase the risk of lupus.”
Dr. Yaohua Tian, an expert on air pollutants and chronic diseases at Huazhong University of Science and Technology and co-author of the study, said: ‘Our research provides crucial insight into the air pollution that contributes to autoimmune diseases.
Scientists have long tried to figure out what exactly triggers systemic lupus erythematosus, better known as lupus. The condition, which also affects Selena Gomez, Lady Gaga and Nick Cannon, involves the body’s immune system mistakenly attacking healthy tissue instead of
But researchers in China now believe that long-term exposure to air pollution ‘may increase the risk of lupus’. Pictured is Lady Gaga, who is known to have lupus
‘The findings may contribute to the development of stricter air quality regulations to limit exposure to harmful substances and thus reduce the risk of lupus.’
Patients with this condition often experience flare-ups where symptoms such as joint and muscle pain, extreme fatigue, and skin rash become worse.
These episodes can last for weeks or longer.
In the new study, Chinese researchers followed 460,000 patients and found that 399 people were diagnosed with lupus over a 12-year period.
Average levels of six pollutants near their homes were also measured.
These include PM2.5 (particulate matter with a diameter smaller than 2.5 micrometers), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrogen oxide (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2).
All four have been linked to health problems such as heart disease and dementia.
These particles, which are emitted by car exhaust fumes, cleaning agents and wood stoves, among other things, can so small that they penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream.
According to the researchers, there was a 1 in 1,000 risk of lupus among those exposed to the highest NO2 levels, and only 0.075 in 1,000 among those exposed to the lowest levels.
This trend was also reflected in all three other particles.
Writing in the diary, Arthritis and rheumatologyAccording to the scientists, the results provide “crucial insights into the environmental factors that contribute to autoimmune diseases.”
They added: ‘The findings may contribute to the development of stricter air quality regulations to limit exposure to harmful substances and thus reduce the risk of lupus.’
However, the researchers acknowledged that the study had “certain limitations,” including the fact that participants volunteered.
This means they “may have been healthier, more health conscious or more willing to participate in the study,” they added.
The World Health Organization has long demanded that countries take stronger measures to combat the scourge of pollution, which is estimated to kill 7 million people worldwide each year.
According to Lupus UK, approximately one in 50,000 people in the UK have the condition.
Patients with the condition often experience periods of worsening symptoms such as joint and muscle pain, extreme fatigue and skin rashes. Such episodes can last for weeks or longer. Pictured is Nick Cannon, who is known to have lupus
There is no cure for lupus. Treatment is primarily aimed at helping people manage their symptoms.
Lupus can be mild, causing skin or joint problems, or severe, where it can be life-threatening to organs.
Flare-ups, periods when symptoms worsen, are another aspect of the condition that scientists are still trying to understand.
It is not yet clear what causes them and what makes them disappear.
Further complicating the issue, some patients do not experience flare-ups at all.
