Hair Treatments and the Risk of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: the Michigan Lupus Epidemiology & Surveillance (MILES) Program

Emily C. Somers¹, Christina Mrukowicz², Wendy Marder¹, W. Joseph McCune³, Afton L. Hassett⁴, Suzanna Zick⁵, Siobán Harlow⁶ and Caroline Gordon⁷, ¹Internal Medicine-Rheumatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, ²University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, ³Int Med/ Rheum, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, ⁴Rheumatology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, ⁵Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, ⁶Epidemiology Department- School of Public Health, Obstetrics and Gynecology- Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, ⁷School of Immunity and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Meeting: 2017 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting

Date of first publication: September 18, 2017

Keywords: environmental factors and registry, Lupus

Session Information

Date: Monday, November 6, 2017

Title: ARHP Epidemiology and Public Health Poster

Session Type: ACR Poster Session B

Session Time: 9:00AM-11:00AM

Background/Purpose:

Hair dye exposure has been reported as a risk factor for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and connective tissue diseases, though conflicting results exist. We performed a population-based case-control study based on the MILES Program to determine whether hair dyes, rinses and permanents were associated with SLE risk.

Methods:

The MILES Program includes a population-based cohort of SLE cases and controls from southeast Michigan. Detailed data on history of hair treatment exposures prior to SLE diagnosis (i.e., hair dyes, rinses and permanents to curl/straighten hair) were collected, including details regarding frequency, duration, colors used and timing in relation to SLE diagnosis. For controls, we generated a reference date in lieu of a diagnosis date using multiple imputation (SAS PROC MI). Multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for covariates (race, ethnicity, age, county of residence, family income, and history of beauty salon occupation), was used to assess association between hair product use and case/control status.

Results:

In this study population of 654 participants (462 SLE cases, 192 controls), 584 (89.3%) were female, 288 (44%) black, and mean age at baseline visit was 53 years. Primary analyses were restricted to females, due to small numbers in males. In female cases vs controls, hair dye use was reported in 35.1% of cases/38.8% of controls; hair permanents in 55.8%/56.7%; hair rinses in 19.7%/19.6%; and history of beauty salon occupation in 9.1%/6.5%. Odds ratios (95% CIs) adjusted for covariates were: hair dye [0.94 (0.63, 1.40)]; hair rinse [0.91 (0.57, 1.46)]; hair permanent [0.86 (0.57, 1.30)]. Likewise, duration of use, dark color hair dyes, and history of beauty salon occupation were not found to be associated with SLE. Results from analyses stratified by race were similar.

Conclusion:

This population-based case-control study is one of the largest studies to examine the relationship between hair product use and lupus. We found no evidence of an association between any of the treatment types – hair dye, hair rinse, or hair permanents – and risk of lupus.

Disclosure: E. C. Somers, None; C. Mrukowicz, None; W. Marder, None; W. J. McCune, None; A. L. Hassett, None; S. Zick, None; S. Harlow, None; C. Gordon, None.

To cite this abstract in AMA style:

Somers EC, Mrukowicz C, Marder W, McCune WJ, Hassett AL, Zick S, Harlow S, Gordon C. Hair Treatments and the Risk of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: the Michigan Lupus Epidemiology & Surveillance (MILES) Program [abstract]. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2017; 69 (suppl 10). https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/hair-treatments-and-the-risk-of-systemic-lupus-erythematosus-the-michigan-lupus-epidemiology-surveillance-miles-program/. Accessed .

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