The Prevalence and Severity of Hand Eczema Among Adults in Tasiilaq, East Greenland

ABSTRACT Background Hand eczema (HE) is described as a common disease in Greenland, but studies on its epidemiology and severity are lacking. Objectives To investigate the point prevalence and severity of HE among adults in East Greenland in relation to age, sex, and occupation. Methods In May 2022, we conducted a cross‐sectional study in Tasiilaq, East Greenland. All adults aged ≥ 18 years were invited ( n = 1311 individuals). Results A total of 295 participants accepted the invitation. Among these, the point prevalence of HE was 22.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 18.0–27.5, n  = 66/295), and 5.0% based on the total invited population ( n  = 66/1311). The median age of participants with HE was 40 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 30–54), and the median age at disease onset was 25 years ([IQR]: 19–40). Females were more frequently affected than males (65.2%, n  = 43/66). Atopic dermatitis was diagnosed in 7.6% of participants with HE. The mean Hand Eczema Severity Index (HECSI) score was 21 (range 2–112), and exposure to wet work was reported by 57.4% of the participants with HE. Conclusions Hand eczema is common in East Greenland, with a point prevalence similar to that in Nordic countries. The severity and distribution of HE in relation to age, sex, and occupation were comparable to those reported in other European studies.