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Tertiary prevention of occupational skin diseases: Prevalence of allergic contact dermatitis and pattern of patch test results
Author(s) -
Brans Richard,
SchröderKraft Claudia,
Skudlik Christoph,
John Swen M.,
Geier Johannes
Publication year - 2019
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.13098
Subject(s) - medicine , patch test , allergic contact dermatitis , dermatology , contact dermatitis , hand eczema , irritant contact dermatitis , retrospective cohort study , cohort , allergy , surgery , immunology
Background Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is one of the most common occupational skin diseases (OSDs). Its prevalence and the causative allergens differ between occupations. Objectives To evaluate the prevalence of ACD and the pattern of patch test results of patients taking part in a tertiary individual prevention programme (TIP) for OSD in Germany. Patients and Methods In a retrospective cohort study, the data of 3411 TIP patients patch tested between 2007 and 2016 were analysed. Results In 2687 (78.8%) patients, work‐related skin disease was diagnosed, mostly hand dermatitis. The highest proportion of face dermatitis was seen in painters (8.1%). ACD was most common in painters (56.8%), hairdressers (45.8%), construction workers (31.5%), gardeners/florists (26.7%), and metalworkers (26.5%). On average, hairdressers had the youngest age (31.4 ± 12.6 years, P < 0.0001) and the shortest time in the profession prior to the TIP (mean 13.7 years). The pattern of patch test reactivity showed occupation‐specific differences related to work exposures. Conclusions Identification of occupational groups at risk for ACD and relevant allergens may help in the development and implementation of targeted prevention strategies. Our data suggest that there should be a particular focus on hairdressers and painters.