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REVIEW PAPER
Environmental risk factors in autoimmune diseases: a review of literature
 
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1
Department of Hygiene, Wrocław Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland Head of Department prof. dr hab. K. Pawlas
 
2
Clinic of Rheumatology and Internal Medicine, University Hospital in Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
 
3
Institute of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, Sosnowiec, Poland
 
 
Corresponding author
Małgorzata Chowaniec   

Katedra i Zakład Higieny Uniwersytet Medyczny we Wrocławiu ul. Mikulicza-Radeckiego 7, 50-345 Wrocław tel. 071-784-01-05 fax. 071-784-15-03
 
 
Med Srod. 2017;20(3):12-20
 
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Autoimmune diseases are a very common group of disorders, with prevalence rate over 5%–8% in the general population. The etiology of autoimmune diseases is very complex. It is considered that they are caused by a combination of several factors, such as pathological response of the immune system, hormones, genetic factors and environmental influence. It is assumed that an increase in the incidence of autoimmune diseases may be associated with growing exposure to environmental factors. Many environmental determinants may play an important role in triggering the autoimmune response. Identification and better knowledge of environmental risk factors could lead to better prevention and control of autoimmune diseases in the future. This paper is a literature overview concerning the role of environmental factors in the development of autoimmune diseases.
 
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