Date: Sun, 30 Jul 2000 13:08:05 -0700

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Subject: Other articles

Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2000 01:23:43 EDT

Here are 2 European studies showing an increase in connective tissue disease for women with breast surgery, including breast reduction surgery or implants. What makes these so interesting is that the authors then conclude that breast implants are perfectly safe -- because they are no riskier than breast reduction surgery. It's as if they think that if the disease is caused by the surgery rather than the implants, it doesn't count against augmentation. 

Sincerely,

Diana Zuckerman 

Friis, S., Mellemkjaer, L., McLaughlin, J.K., et al. Connective tissue disease and other rheumatic conditions following breast implants in Denmark. 

Annals of Plastic Surgery 1997;39:1-8. 

Breast surgery was associated with an increase in muscular rheumatism. 

Nyren, O., Yin, L., Josefsson, S., et al. Risk of connective tissue disease and related disorders among women with breast implants: a nation-wide retrospective cohort study in Sweden. British Medical Journal 1998;316:417-422. 

Among women who had breast reduction surgery, 14 were hospitalized for definite connective tissue disease compared to 10.5 expected. Compared to the breast implant group, women who had breast reduction showed a slight increase in the relative risk of getting connective tissue diseases. 

Diana Zuckerman, Ph.D.

Executive Director

National Center for Policy Research for Women and Families

1444 Eye Street, NW

Suite 900

Washington, DC 20005

202 216-9507