Data from a long-term Black Women’s Health Study of 59,000 Black women found that cigarette smoking raised the risk for lupus, but not significantly compared with those who had never smoked.  In contrast, the incidence of lupus was significantly lower among Black women who drank moderately which was defined as greater or equal to four drinks per week when compared to those who never drink.  These results are consistent with data from previous studies comprised mostly of Whites and Asians.

The study was recently published in Arthritis Care & Research.