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Objective: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is hypothesized to play a role in the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) is important in regulating T cell-mediated immunity, encompassing the first line of response to viral infections, and genetic variation in CTLA-4 has been associated with SLE. This study examined the seroprevalence of EBV in a population-based study of SLE patients from the southeastern United States, and potential interactions with CTLA-4 polymorphisms were assessed., Methods: Cases comprised 230 subjects recently diagnosed as having SLE (144 African American and 86 white) from university and community-based clinics, and controls comprised 276 age-, sex-, and state-matched subjects (72 African American and 204 white) recruited from driver's license registries. Antibodies to EBV capsid antigen were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, with results expressed as positive or negative using the international standardized ratio (ISR) (a ratio of the sample absorbance to a known standard). CTLA-4 genotypes were identified by polymerase chain reaction-based methods., Results: In African Americans, EBV-IgA seroprevalence was strongly associated with SLE (odds ratio [OR] 5.6, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 3.0-10.6). In whites, the modest association of SLE with EBV-IgA (OR 1.6) was modified by age, in that the strongest association was observed in those older than age 50 years (OR 4.1, 95% CI 1.6-10.4). The seroprevalence of EBV-IgM and that of EBV-IgG were not associated with SLE. Higher EBV-IgG absorbance ratios were observed in SLE patients, with a significant dose response across units of the ISR in African Americans (P < 0.0001). Allelic variation in the CTLA-4 gene promoter (-1661A/G) significantly modified the association between SLE and EBV-IgA (P = 0.03), with a stronger association among those with the -1661AA genotype., Conclusion: These findings suggest that repeated or reactivated EBV infection, which results in increased EBV-IgA seroprevalence and higher IgG antibody titers, may be associated with SLE, and that the CTLA-4 genotype influences immune responsiveness to EBV in SLE patients. The observed patterns of effect modification by race, age, and CTLA-4 genotype should be examined in other studies and may help frame new hypotheses regarding the role of EBV in SLE etiology.

Objective: There have been few studies of occupational exposures and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We examined the association between the risk of SLE and occupational exposures (mercury, solvents, and pesticides), specific jobs (ever worked in teaching, healthcare, and cosmetology), and working night or rotating shifts., Methods: Patients with recently diagnosed SLE (n = 265) were recruited through 4 university based and 30 community based rheumatology practices in North Carolina and South Carolina, USA. Controls (n = 355) were identified through driver's license records and were frequency matched to patients by age, sex, and state. Data collection included an in-person interview with detailed farming and work histories., Results: Associations were seen with self-reported occupational exposure to mercury (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.3, 10.0), mixing pesticides for agricultural work (OR 7.4, 95% CI 1.4, 40.0), and among dental workers (OR 7.1, 95% CI 2.2, 23.4). Although these associations were fairly strong and statistically significant, the prevalence of these exposures was very low and thus these estimates are based on a small number of exposed cases and controls. Weaker associations were seen between SLE and shift work (OR 1.6, 95% CI 0.99, 2.7) and among healthcare workers with patient contact (OR 1.7, 95% CI 0.99, 2.9). There was no association of SLE with use of solvents or among teachers or cosmetologists., Conclusion: This study reveals the potential contribution of occupational exposures to the development of SLE, and highlights some exposures and experiences that should be examined in other studies using more extensive exposure assessment techniques and in experimental studies of autoimmunity.

Objective: Genetic polymorphisms in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) are linked with expression and/or progression of renal disease. We hypothesized that polymorphisms in the genes coding for ACE and eNOS may influence the development and/or progression of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis given their linkage with other renal diseases., Methods: DNA from patients with SLE (n = 227) and their age and sex matched controls (n = 275) from the Carolina Lupus (CLU) Study cohort was assessed for ACE and eNOS polymorphisms. Seventy patients had biopsy-proven lupus nephritis. Two different eNOS polymorphisms (eNOS promoter T-786(R)C nucleotide substitution and eNOS 27 base pair tandem repeat in intron 4) and the ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in intron 16 were examined by restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction., Results: Allele frequency of the eNOS polymorphisms varied significantly between SLE patients and controls. There was no association of these polymorphisms with lupus within ethnic groups. We found no association of the polymorphism with the development of renal disease. No association was observed for the ACE I/D polymorphism with SLE or nephritis, or with ethnicity or sex., Conclusion: eNOS genetic polymorphisms differed significantly across ethnic groups. There was no significant increased risk of SLE and/or lupus nephritis associated with eNOS or ACE polymorphisms in either the African American or Caucasian groups compared to ethnically matched controls. These studies emphasize the need to control for ethnicity when investigating genetic polymorphisms and disease.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of two interventions on calcium intake and exercise and assess whether intervention effects varied as a function of participants' stage of change., Design: The study used a 2 by 2 factorial research design. Baseline, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up data were collected., Setting: Twelve counties in western North Carolina., Subjects: Of 714 women recruited, 547 (76.6%) completed all data collection procedures., Intervention: One intervention, conducted at the individual level, compared the effects of tailored vs. nontailored educational materials. The tailored educational intervention was delivered via two packets of written materials and one telephone counseling session. The written materials and counseling session were tailored according to participants' current calcium intake and exercise level, perceived adequacy of these behaviors, stage of change, behavioral goals, and perceived barriers to change. A community-based intervention was also evaluated. This intervention, implemented in 6 of the 12 counties, included establishing an Osteoporosis Resource Center, conducting a workshop on osteoporosis prevention, and offering free bone density screening., Measures: Outcome measures were calcium intake and exercise level. Stage of change was assessed as a moderating variable., Results: Irrespective of intervention group, among women not consuming adequate calcium at baseline, intake increased an average of about 500 mg/d over the course of the study. Changes involving exercise were more modest. Repeated measures regression analyses were used to evaluate intervention effects. The effect of the tailored educational intervention varied, in appropriate ways, among women in different stages of change at baseline (F2,527 = 6.37, p < .002). Among women in the Engaged stage, the tailored intervention was associated with a greater increase in calcium intake. In contrast, among women who were obtaining adequate calcium at baseline (i.e., Action stage), the tailored intervention appeared to forestall inappropriate increases in calcium intake. The community-based intervention had no consistent effects on calcium intake, either alone, or in combination with the tailored intervention. Finally, neither intervention had an effect on exercise, either alone or in combination., Conclusions: Limited support for the superiority of tailored vs. nontailored educational interventions was found. The differential effects observed could be due to the telephone counseling received by women in the Tailored Education Group, however.

Objective: To examine the association between smoking and hair treatments (dyes, permanents) and risk of developing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)., Methods: Patients (n = 265) diagnosed between January 1, 1995, and July 31, 1999, were recruited through 4 university based and 30 community based rheumatology practices in eastern North Carolina and South Carolina. Controls (n = 355) were identified through driver's license records and were frequency matched to patients by age, sex, and state. Data collection included a 60 min in-person interview. Analyses were limited to experiences that occurred before age at diagnosis (patients) or reference age (controls). Because the prevalence of use of hair treatments among men was very low, the analyses of those exposures were limited to women., Results: There was no association with smoking history and risk of developing SLE when analyzed as status (current, former, or never-smoker) or measures of dose (duration or pack-years). Use of permanent hair dyes in women was associated with a small increased risk of developing SLE (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.0, 2.2). This association increased with longer duration of use (compared with nonusers, OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.0, 2.7 for 6 or more years). There was little evidence of an association between SLE and use of temporary dyes or of permanents and straighteners., Conclusion: These results suggest at most a weak association between SLE risk and permanent hair dyes or smoking. Genetic variability in the metabolism of these products may be important to assess in future studies.

Purpose: This study examined the effects of brief written educational materials on osteoporosis-related knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors. The study also examined whether observed effects varied as a function of one's stage in the precaution adoption process., Design: The study used an experimental research design., Setting: Participants were identified from North Carolina driver's license records., Subjects: Of the 1476 women in the initial sample, 536 (36.3%) enrolled in the study and 307 completed all follow-up assessments., Intervention: Participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups. One group received an information packet containing general information about osteoporosis. One group received an action plan packet containing instructions on how to increase one's level of exercise and calcium intake. One group received both packets. The final group received neither packet., Measures: Primary study variables were beliefs related to osteoporosis, calcium, and exercise; osteoporosis knowledge; calcium and exercise stage; calcium intake; and exercise level., Results: Overall, receipt of the information packet was associated with changes in knowledge and beliefs (F[18,283] = 2.11, p < .01) irrespective of participants' stage of change. No effects on behavior were observed., Conclusions: These findings suggest that brief written educational materials can facilitate knowledge and belief change but that they do not promote behavior change. The generalizability of these findings is limited by the low study response rate.

Objective: To develop a short food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) assessing calcium intake and a prediction equation for estimating total calcium intake from the short FFQ., Methods: Data were collected from 536 women via mailed questionnaires at 3 time points. Stepwise regression analyses were used to identify those foods and beverages included in the Black Health Habits and History Questionnaire (HHHQ) that explained the most variance in participants' dietary calcium intake. A prediction equation was developed to estimate total calcium intake based only on information from the foods/beverages identified., Results: Calcium obtained from 15 foods/beverages explained 97.2% of the variance in total calcium intake. The mean absolute difference between total calcium intake estimated from the 15 foods/beverages and the full HHHQ was less than 50 mg at each time point., Conclusion: Findings suggest that a short FFQ can provide estimates of total dietary calcium consumption comparable to the full Block HHHQ.