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Rheumatology Advance Access originally published online on April 16, 2003
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Rheumatology 2003; 42: 1032-1035
© 2003 British Society for Rheumatology

Silicate antibodies in Danish women with silicone breast implants

B. Jensen1,2,, A. Wiik3, I. Hechmann Wittrup1, S. Friis2, G.-Q. Shen4, H. Bliddal1, J. K. McLaughlin5,6, B. Lykke Thomsen2, B. Danneskiold-Samsøe1 and J. H. Olsen2,6

1 Parker Institute, Frederiksberg Hospital, Ndr. Fasanvej 57, 2000 Frederiksberg,
2 Danish Cancer Society, Division for Cancer Epidemiology, Strandboulevarden 49, 2100 Copenhagen Ø,
3 Department of Autoimmunology, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark,
4 Specialty Laboratories, 2211 Michigan Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90404-3900,
5 International Epidemiology Institute, 1455 Research Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850 and
6 Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt-Ingram Comprehensive Cancer Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA

Objectives. To use a new immunological assay to evaluate silicate antibody levels in women with and without silicone breast implants (SBIs).

Methods. Women (n=186) were identified through Danish population-based registers and categorized into six groups defined by prior breast surgery (breast implantation/breast reduction/no breast surgery) and by the presence or absence of prior hospital diagnoses of soft-tissue rheumatism (muscular rheumatism, ICD-8 codes 717.90 and 717.99). The women underwent blood tests, a silicate antibody assay and a clinical examination. Severity of rheumatic symptoms/signs was scored from 1 (none) to 5 (severe).

Results. The level of silicate antibodies was not significantly different between the three groups with prior soft-tissue rheumatism (P > 0.5), with the lowest value among women with SBIs. Among women who had no prior diagnosis of soft-tissue rheumatism, silicate antibody levels were highest in women with SBIs (P < 0.01). No significant correlations were observed between silicate antibody levels and symptom severity scores.

Conclusions. Silicate antibodies were not consistently associated with SBIs and were not correlated with rheumatic symptoms. The clinical relevance of these antibodies remains questionable.

KEY WORDS: Silicate antibodies, Breast implants, Silicone, Symptom severity.

Correspondence to: B. Jensen, P. G. Ramms Allé 1 3.th, 2000 Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark. E-mail: bjensen{at}aab11.dk


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