Smoking with autoimmune disease common a higher risk of skin lesions

Among the reasons, if there is not enough to stop smoking, having a team of scientists at the Research Institute of the University Health Center McGill (RI MUHC) found one another. A study conducted by Dr. Christian Pineau A, directed co-director of the Clinic of lupus and vasculitis at the MUHC has a clear link between damage to the skin rash of smoking among people with systemic lupus erythematosus ( LED). The study was published in the latest issue of the Journal of Rheumatology. SLE is a disease long term auto-immune diseases, about one in 2,000 people. About 90 percent of SLE patients are women, many of them young. The symptoms are caused by an overactive immune system, and the disease can cause inflammation and lesions in almost all organ systems, including the skin.

"Up to 85 percent of people with SLE develop the involvement of the skin at some point," said Dr. Pineau. "Our study shows that the risk of skin damage such as permanent hair loss and scars of 'skin inflammation in smokers is significantly increased. Thus, the rate of eruptions of active lupus. "

Although there is no cure for SLE, the symptoms can be treated with medication. "However, you can smoke in May or the effectiveness of certain drugs for skin disease in SLE controls, said Dr. Sascha Bernatsky, co-author of the study and physician in rheumatology MUHC Division." This may be a reasons why smoking increases the damage of the skin in SLE.

"Has even in healthy people, cigarette smoke, both immediate and long-term long-term effects on the skin, blood vessels and hair follicles," she adds. "Exposure to tobacco promotes release of cytokines - substances in the body that increase the activity of the immune system and inflammation. In fact, some researchers believe that smoking is indeed a risk factor for SLE in the first place. "

The study underlines the importance for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus to stay smoke-free. "We already knew that these people should not smoke because of the increased risk of side effects such as heart disease," says Dr. Pineau. "Now it seems we must point out another reason for the cessation of smoking. If we can convince people with SLE, stop smoking, we are able to help better control the disease and better outcomes. "