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Clinical epidemiology of hand eczema in patients accessing dermatological reference centres: results from I taly
Author(s) -
Scalone L.,
Cortesi P.A.,
Mantovani L.G.,
Belisari A.,
Ayala F.,
Fortina A.B.,
Bonamonte D.,
Borroni G.,
Cannavò S.P.,
Guarneri F.,
Cristaudo A.,
De Pità O.,
Gallo R.,
Girolomoni G.,
Gola M.,
Lisi P.,
Pigatto P.D.,
Satta R.,
Giannetti A.
Publication year - 2015
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 - 10.1111/bjd.13220
Subject(s) - medicine , epidemiology , hand eczema , atopic dermatitis , cross sectional study , dermatology , refractory (planetary science) , pediatrics , disease , allergy , contact dermatitis , pathology , immunology , physics , astrobiology
Summary Background Data on the epidemiological impact and clinical characteristics of chronic hand eczema in S outhern E urope are lacking. Objectives To estimate the prevalence of chronic hand eczema in its different stages of severity and refractoriness to standard therapy in patients accessing I talian dermatological reference centres, and to evaluate sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with each stage. Methods A cross‐sectional multicentre study was conducted. Adult patients with hand eczema, consecutively accessing 14 centres over a 6‐month period, were enrolled. Patients were classified according to disease duration, severity and response to standard therapy with potent topical corticosteroids. Logistical regression was performed to investigate the relationship between sociodemographic and clinical data with different stages of eczema. Results The total number of participants was 981. Hand eczema was chronic in 83·5% of patients; 21·3% had severe eczema, with 62·0% of these patients refractory to standard therapy. Food processing and related work, the health professions, craft and related trade works (building, plumbing, electrical), hairdressing/beauty and handicraft work were most frequently associated with chronic hand eczema. Severe chronic hand eczema was more likely to be seen in men, older patients and those with less education. Severe and refractory hand eczema was also more likely among the unemployed and patients with allergic rhinitis and/or atopic dermatitis. Conclusions Chronic hand eczema is frequent among patients with hand eczema accessing dermatology centres. Many patients were severe and refractory to standard therapy. The appropriate identification of hand eczema is the first step in implementing effective and efficient treatments.