Breast Implant-Associated Immunological Disorders

May 2022 in “ Journal of immunology research ”

Lily Suh, Imran Khan, Christine Kelley-Patteson, Ganesh Mohan, Aladdin H. Hassanein, Mithun Sinha

hair loss autoimmune symptoms Sjogren's syndrome rheumatoid arthritis silicone bacterial biofilm

TLDR Breast implants are linked to autoimmune symptoms, with over half of patients feeling better after removal, but the exact cause is unclear and may involve bacterial biofilm.

Breast implant illness (BII) is a systemic complication that manifests with autoimmune symptoms such as fatigue, hair loss, and depression, and is associated with breast implants used in post-cancer reconstruction, cosmetic augmentation, and gender-affirming surgery. A literature review of epidemiological studies from 2010 to 2020 has shown an association between breast implants and autoimmune diseases like Sjogren's syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis. Over 50% of patients experienced symptom relief after implant removal, suggesting a link between implants and BII. However, silicone, a common implant material, is biologically inert and not likely the direct cause of these symptoms, as similar risks were observed with other types of implants. Recent studies suggest bacterial biofilm might play a role in BII, indicating a need for further research to understand the pathophysiology and develop treatments beyond implant removal. This research has implications for a range of implantable biomaterials, not just breast implants.

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