The effects of air pollution on disease activity and flares in patients with rheumatoid arthritis remain an important area of investigation. Assessing specific air pollutants may help clarify their associations with rheumatoid arthritis disease activity and flare risk. A study published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases evaluated the associations of six air pollutants with disease activity and flare rate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

A total of 12,583 outpatient visits from 1,070 patients were analyzed. Among sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide, particulate matter 10, and particulate matter 2.5, particulate matter 2.5 was associated with an increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis flare (adjusted odds ratio 1.113; 95% confidence interval 1.017–1.218) and higher Disease Activity Score based on 28 joints with C-reactive protein, Clinical Disease Activity…