Vasculitis & polymyalgia rheumatica
Environmental determinants of large vessel vasculitis onset: a scoping review with complementary narrative synthesis of genetic susceptibility
Authors' conclusion
This review identifies multiple candidate environmental exposures in LVV and highlights critical methodological gaps regarding exposure timing and genomic integration. Integrative exposomic-genomic approaches represent the critical next step toward identifying modifiable risk factors and preventive strategies.
Study context
- Population
- Studies assessing environmental exposures in relation to giant cell arteritis (GCA) or TAK onset using an epidemiological design with a comparator group, Mendelian randomization, or mechanistic approach with direct relevance to human susceptibility; PubMed and Embase from inception to August 2026studies included in the narrative synthesis, of which 34 with established temporality and epidemiological design were summarized in a structured evidence table
- Participants
- 44 studies
- Outcome
- Study selection
Methodological detailsfollowing PRISMA-ScR guidelines, complementary narrative review of genetic susceptibility
- Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines
- Complementary narrative review of genetic susceptibility
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Records identified
3,596
Screened after deduplication
2,137
Studies included in the narrative synthesis
44
Of the included studies, with established temporality and epidemiological design, summarized in a structured evidence table
34
Further findings
Candidate environmental modulators of large vessel vasculitis (LVV) onset
- Air pollution, infections, antibiotic use, hormonal exposures, and cardiometabolic factors emerge as candidate environmental modulators of LVV onset
- Causal links remain uncertain
Genetic susceptibility
- Genetic susceptibility implicates antigen presentation, immune regulation, innate immune activation, and vascular remodeling pathways
Original publication
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →