[Systemic sclerosis and occupational exposures: About a case in a driller-powderman]

Abstract

Introduction: Erasmus' syndrome is the association between systemic sclerosis and silica exposure.

Case report: We report a case of this syndrome in a driller-powderman exposed to silica and nitro compounds contained in explosives.

Conclusion: Physiopathology and etiologies of systemic sclerosis are still not well known. However, nitric oxide, a product of nitro compounds metabolism, is involved in the physiopathology of the disease: it seems thus licit to wonder about the consequences of an uncontrolled occupational exposure to nitric oxide on the vascular function, already damaged by systemic sclerosis. To a wider extent, our report highlights the importance of a comprehensive and detailed collection of occupational exposures for patients diagnosed with systemic sclerosis.

Keywords: Diffuse scleroderma; Dérivé nitré; Exposition professionnelle; Nitro compounds; Occupational exposure; Occupational health; Santé au travail; Sclérodermie systémique; Silica; Silice.