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| |  Studies Cast Doubt on Link Between Silicone Implants and Rheumatic Disease SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 24, 1995 -- Women with silicone breast implants have no higher risk of developing fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis, nor any significant increase in antibodies in their blood, according to two new studies presented today at the American College of Rheumatology's national scientific meeting in San Francisco. These studies cast further doubt on a link between silicone breast implants and currently recognized rheumatic diseases. Several other recent studies also failed to show that silicone implants cause rheumatic diseases, though symptoms associated with rheumatic diseases are frequently found in people with silicone breast implants. In one study, from the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada, researchers compared blood samples from 1,601 women with silicone and saline implants with 762 women who had undergone cosmetic surgery but had no silicone implantation. There was no significant difference between the frequency of autoantibodies between the two groups. Case reports often cite increased autoantibodies in women with silicone implants. "This study shows that women with silicone implants are not producing more autoantibodies than women without implants," said Liam Martin, M.D., author of the study. "When you look at large groups of women, the results are often different -- and more representative -- than when you look at individual case studies." The other study, conducted by Fred Wolfe, M.D., of the University of Kansas, shows that women with implants are no more likely to develop fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis than women in the general population. Fibromyalgia is a syndrome that causes pain and stiffness in muscles around the neck, spine, shoulders and hips. Fatigue is also a symptom. It afflicts between 3 million and 6 million people in the United States. Rheumatoid arthritis causes pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of function in the joints. It affects more than 2 million Americans. Both diseases occur most often in women of child-bearing age. In this study, 533 women with fibromyalgia and 637 women with rheumatoid arthritis were surveyed to determine if they had silicone implants. For comparison, 479 women with osteoarthritis, a disease of wear and tear on the joints, and 655 randomly selected women were also evaluated. There was no increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis for women with implants. There was also no evidence of an increased risk for developing fibromyalgia after silicone implantation. The American College of Rheumatology is the professional organization of rheumatologists and associated health professionals who share a dedication to healing, preventing disability, and curing the more than 100 types of arthritis and related disabling and sometimes fatal disorders of the joints, muscles, and bones. Members include practicing physicians, research scientists, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, psychologists, and social workers. CONTACT: Jim Moody, American College of Rheumatology, 415-442-6181, through Oct. 26
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