Table 1: Occupational exposures previously found to demonstrate significantly increased RA risk in males.

Author(s), Publication Year and Reference No. Country, Period of Employment and Follow–up Study Population Exposure Type Cases Controls Reported RA risk (95% CI) Comments
Klokars et al 1987 [9] Finland 1940–1981 1026, Cohort Granite quarry and processing yard workers 35 7.5 Comparison with age matched Finnish population statistics for all workers
Stolt et al 2010 [11] Sweden 1996–2006 577 RA cases, 659 age, gender, location matched controls Silica: stone dust, rock drilling, stone crushing 54 69 1.39 (1.13–2.48) ACPA+ RA. ACPA– and combined RA failed to reach significance
Stolt et al 2010 [11] Sweden 1996–2006 577 RA cases, 659 age, gender, location matched controls Silica: stone dust, rock drilling, stone crushing, current smokers 21 13 7.36 (3.31–16.38) ACPA+ RA, silica and smoking interaction
Calvert et al 2003 [12] USA 1982-1995 4839231 death certificates from 27 states, silica exposed cases matched to non-silica Silica 15/1237 20/6185 3.75 (19.2-7.32 Mortality odds ratio. OR 1.19 (1.12-1.25) following conditional logistic regression
Li et al 2008 [14] Sweden 1964–2004 13820 hospitalisations for RA, cohort Miners and quarry workers 175 - 1.7 (1.5–2.0) Comparison with standardised incidence ratio (SIR) by occupation category in 1960 census
Li et al 2008 [14] Sweden 1964–2004 13820 hospitalisations for RA, cohort Miners and quarry workers 145 - 1.8 (1.6–2.2) Comparison with SIR by occupation category in 1970 census
Turner and Cherry 2000 [41] North Staffordshire, UK 6353 male pottery workers, case–referent Underground mining 9/43 5/172 8.47 (2.59–27.66) Referents matched on age, sex and pottery exposure
Li et al 2008 [14] Sweden 1964–2004 13820 hospitalisations for RA, cohort Construction workers 498 - 1.2 (1.1–1.4) Comparison with standardised incidence ratio (SIR) by occupation category in 1960 census
Li et al 2008 [14] Sweden 1964–2004 13820 hospitalisations for RA, cohort Construction workers 561 - 1.3 (1.2–1.5) Comparison with SIR by occupation category in 1970 census
Li et al 2008 [14] Sweden 1964–2004 13820 hospitalisations for RA, cohort Construction workers 210 - 1.4 (1.2–1.6) Comparison with SIR by occupation category in 1960 and 1970 census
Ilar et al 2016 [15] Sweden, unreported 3295 incident RA cases, 4912 controls Bricklayers and concrete workers Unreported - 2.6 (1.3–4.9) Abstract only publication
Blanc et al 2015 [13] Sweden, 1968–1993 240983 unionised construction workers enrolled in occupational health service 1968–1993 Silica dust, ever smokers 160/52419 273/108400 1.36 (1.11–1.68)
Blanc et al 2015 [13] Sweden, 1968–1993 240983 unionised construction workers enrolled in occupational health service 1968–1993 Non–silica inorganic dust, ever smokers 202/132583 273/108400 1.42 (1.17–1.73)
Li et al 2008 [14] Sweden 1964–2004 13820 hospitalisations for RA, cohort Electrical workers 282 - 1.2 (1.1–1.3) Comparison with SIR by occupation category in 1960 and 1970 census
Ilar et al 2016 [15] Sweden, unreported 3295 incident RA cases, 4912 controls Electrical workers unreported - 2.1 (1.1–4.0) ACPA– RA
Abstract only publication
Olsson et al 2004 [16] Sweden 1996-1998 74 incident male RA cases, 382 referents Electricians, electromechanical workers, service personnel 9/74 18/382 3.4 (1.2-9.4)
Li et al 2008 [14] Sweden 1964–2004 13820 hospitalisations for RA, cohort Smelters and metal foundry workers 271 - 1.2 (1.1–1.4) Comparison with SIR by occupation category in 1970 census
Cappalletti et al 2016 [45] Trentino, Italy 1979-2009 331 exposed workers, cohort Electric arc furnace workers 3/331 420/20332 6.18 (2.00-19.02) Compared to incident cases in same town over same period
Olsson et al 2004 [16] Sweden 1996-1998 74 incident male RA cases, 382 referents conductors, freight, transport workers 3/74 2/382 17.8
(1.5-207.8)
Li et al 2008 [14] Sweden 1964–2004 13820 hospitalisations for RA, cohort Engine and Motor operators 383 - 1.2 (1.1-1.3) Comparison with standardised incidence ratio (SIR) by occupation category in 1960 census
Svedrup et al 2005 [18] Sweden 1996-2003 407 incident male RA cases, 486 controls Mineral oil exposure 93 132/486 1.6
(1.1-2.2)
ACPA + RA, any mineral oil exposure. Specific cohort size not given for ACPA+RA
Olsson et al 2000 [47] Sweden 1980-1995 102 RA cases, 248 referents Asphalters 3/102 1/248 14.0 (1.2-799.0)
Li et al 2008 [14] Sweden 1964–2004 13820 hospitalisations for RA, cohort Farmers 821 - 1.2 (1.1-1.2) Comparison with SIR by occupation category in 1960 and 1970 census
Olsson et al 2004 [16] Sweden 1996-1998 74 incident male RA cases, 382 referents Farmers 20/74 41/382 2.4 (1.1-5.2)
Parks et al 2016 [20] USA 1993-2010 23570 spouses of pesticide applicants, cohort Farming: maneb/mancozeb perticides 10/271 351/23570 3.3 (1.5-7.1)
Parks et al 2016 [20] USA 1993-2010 23570 spouses of pesticide applicants, cohort Farming: chemical fertilisers 23/132 2540/24018 1.7 (1.1-2.7)