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Multicentre cohort study ‘Rehabilitation of Occupational Skin Diseases – Optimization and Quality Assurance of Inpatient Management ( ROQ )’: results from a 3‐year follow‐up
Author(s) -
Brans Richard,
Skudlik Christoph,
Weisshaar Elke,
Scheidt Reginald,
Ofenloch Robert,
Elsner Peter,
Wulfhorst Britta,
Schönfeld Michael,
John Swen M.,
Diepgen Thomas L.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
contact dermatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0536
pISSN - 0105-1873
DOI - 10.1111/cod.12614
Subject(s) - medicine , cohort , quality of life (healthcare) , cohort study , prospective cohort study , rehabilitation , occupational medicine , occupational disease , surgery , physical therapy , pediatrics , occupational exposure , emergency medicine , pathology , nursing
Summary Background A tertiary individual prevention programme ( TIP ) is offered to patients with severe occupational skin disease ( OSD ) in Germany. Previously, it was shown that the burden of OSD s is considerably reduced in patients up to 1 year after the TIP . Objectives To evaluate the long‐term effects of the TIP . Patients and methods In a prospective multicentre cohort study, the clinical and patient‐reported outcome data 3 years after the TIP were evaluated. Results Of the 1788 patients initially included in the study, 1410 were available for the 3‐year follow‐up analysis. The severity of OSD , the use of topical corticosteroids and days of absence from work were significantly reduced 3 years after the TIP , and the quality of life and skin protective behaviour were significantly improved. Of the patients, 96.9% were able to resume work. One thousand one hundred and sixty ‐ six patients (82.7%) were still working 3 years after the TIP , 874 of them (75.0%) in the same occupational field. Hairdressers had the lowest rate of remaining in their original profession (41.3%). Conclusions The follow‐up during 3 years of this unique cohort of patients with OSD s shows that the TIP is associated with sustained improvements in terms of disease severity, ability to work, quality of life, and prognosis.