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Role of the atopy score and of single atopic features as risk factors for the development of hand eczema in trainee metal workers
Author(s) -
Berndt U,
Hinnen U,
Iliev D,
Elsner P
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2133.1999.02827.x
Subject(s) - atopy , medicine , hand eczema , diathesis , incidence (geometry) , atopic dermatitis , risk factor , dermatology , cohort , prospective cohort study , cohort study , allergy , pediatrics , immunology , contact dermatitis , physics , optics
This study was performed as part of PROMETES (Swiss Prospective Metal Worker Eczema Study) to examine the role of atopy as a possible risk factor for the development of hand eczema in trainee metal workers. In a cohort of 201 young men without any skin problems at the start of their apprenticeship, 9.5% developed signs of dermatitis on their hands within a period of 6 months. The 2.5‐year incidence was 23%. We did not find a significantly increased risk for hand eczema in those participants with an atopic skin diathesis according to the atopy score of Diepgen et al . ( Dermatosen 1991; 39: 79–83) Analysis of individual atopic signs and symptoms showed reported metal reactivity to have a significant influence on the onset of early skin damage within 6 months, whereas a history of flexural eczema appeared to be significantly related to the overall incidence over 2.5 years.