Table 2

Case-referent evaluations of comorbidity, infections, education and some environmental exposures in women (179 cases of RA and 259 referents) from southeastern Sweden, 1980–95, with adjustment for age

Exposed cases/referents OR2-150 95% CI2-150
Weight
 BMI 262-151 12/10 1.70.7 to 4.1
Comorbidity
 Asthma12/12 1.20.5 to 2.8
 Allergy27/49 0.70.4 to 1.2
 Eczema8/31 0.40.2 to 0.8
 Endocrine diseases15/11 2.21.0 to 5.1
 Thyroid conditions11/5 3.51.1 to 10.8
Medication
 Insulin5/210.21.7 to 60.8
Infections
 Urinary tract infections40/90 0.60.4 to 0.9
 Rubella65/116 0.60.4 to 1.0
 Pneumonia36/31 2.01.2 to 3.4
 Tick-borne infections6/2 4.60.9 to 23.1
Trauma
 Joint injury 20 years ago12/7 2.51.0 to 6.6
Educational level2-152
 Compulsory school75/80 1.0–
 Continuation/vocational school48/61 1.10.6 to 1.8
 Secondary/upper secondary school14/36 0.50.2 to 1.1
 University35/73 0.50.3 to 0.9
Environmental exposures
 Private well at birth2-153 89/101 1.50.9 to 2.4
 Mould5/13 0.50.2 to 1.4
 Horses2-154 21/17 4.20.5 to 37.8
 Hair dyes/bleach for 20 years2-160 17/10 1.90.8 to 4.5
 Solvents5/5 1.50.4 to 5.1
Psychosocial stress
 Matrimonial quarrels2-164 7/2 8.81.6 to 47.6
 Matrimonial quarrels2-161 10/213.12.6 to 65.8

  • ↵2-150 OR = Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio; CI = confidence interval as outlined by Robins et al.36

  • ↵2-151 At age 25, with adjustment also for age and socioeconomic status.

  • ↵2-152 Adjustment also for smoking and employment in high risk occupations.

  • ↵2-153 Adjustment also for farm work, latency requirement 15 years.

  • ↵2-154 Adjustment also for farm work, latency requirement 20 years.

  • ↵2-160 Adjustment also for work as hairdresser, latency requirement 10 years.

  • ↵2-164 Exposure during the 5 year period preceding the diagnosis of RA.

  • ↵2-161 Exposure during the 5 year period preceding the onset of RA symptoms.