The Effect of Air Pollution on Rheumatic Diseases: A Review

Abstract

The environment plays a central role in the development and exacerbation of rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). Air pollution is an emergent environmental player; it has been demonstrated to cause several autoimmune diseases and, more recently, to be associated with a higher risk of reactivation of inflammatory conditions. Airborne environmental pollution can be detected using various approaches. All these methods have limitations and strengths. The present review discusses the effects of air pollution on RMDs and focuses on the approaches for investigating the association between air pollution exposure and RMDs.