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Contact dermatitis is an unrecognized problem in the construction industry: Comparison of four different assessment methods
Author(s) -
Timmerman Johan G.,
Heederik Dick,
Spee Ton,
van Rooy Frits G.,
Krop Esmeralda J. M.,
Rustemeyer Thomas,
Smit Lidwien A. M.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.22742
Subject(s) - medicine , contact dermatitis , occupational medicine , medical diagnosis , occupational exposure , irritant contact dermatitis , dermatology , hand eczema , family medicine , physical therapy , environmental health , pathology , allergy , immunology
Background A high contact dermatitis symptoms prevalence has been observed in Dutch construction workers. Methods Contact dermatitis was diagnosed by an expert panel using questionnaire data and photographs of 751 subjects’ hands. A subset was evaluated by two occupational physicians. Their diagnoses were compared to those of the expert panel. In addition, two self‐reported questionnaire‐based assessment methods were compared to the expert panel evaluation. Associations between contact dermatitis and determinants were assessed using log‐binomial regression analysis. Results Contact dermatitis prevalence was high: 61.4% (expert panel's diagnosis) and 32.9% (self‐reported). Agreement between occupational physicians and the expert panel was low but increased after training. Washing hands with solvents and performing job‐related tasks at home were related to contact dermatitis. Conclusions Contact dermatitis prevalence among construction workers is high. Recognition of contact dermatitis by occupational physicians is poor but can be improved by training. Awareness of skin disorders should be raised.