Occupational skin diseases from 1997 to 2004 at the Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Northern Norway (UNN): an investigation into the course and treatment of occupational skin disease 10-15 years after first consultations with a dermatologist

Reporting of self-reported hand eczema as an occupational disease in hospital cleaners: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study

BACKGROUND

Hand eczema (HE) is a prevalent disease among professional cleaners.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate how often cleaners have their self-reported HE, induced or worsened by cleaners' occupational activities, reported as an occupational disease to the authorities in Denmark and to identify reasons for underreporting. In addition, consultation by physicians and treatment for HE among cleaners were also investigated.

METHODS

This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study included hospital cleaners at three different hospitals in Region Zealand, Denmark.

RESULTS

We included 224 out of 234 cleaners from three hospitals (response rate: 96%). The lifetime prevalence of self-reported HE with onset in adulthood was 18.3% (n = 41), with cleaners believing every case to be caused or exacerbated by their occupation. Only 9.7% (n = 4/41) of the cases were reported as an occupational disease to the authorities. The most common reasons for non-reporting were a lack of perceived seriousness of the disease (40.5%) and unawareness of the risk of self-reported HE being of occupational origin (32.4%). Remarkably, only 75.7% (n = 28/37) of workers with unreported cases had consulted a physician at some point. Additionally, among cleaners who self-reported HE attributed or aggravated by their occupation, but not officially reported as such, only 56.8% (n = 21/37) had ever used hand moisturisers, while less than 45% had ever used topical steroids or calcineurin inhibitors.

CONCLUSION

Our findings reveal substantial underreporting of self-reported HE, perceived to be induced or worsened by the cleaner's occupational activities, as an occupational disease to the authorities.

Occupational contact dermatitis: Return to work using a multidisciplinary clinic model

BACKGROUND

Occupational contact dermatitis often results in work disruption. Return-to-work (RTW) is an important outcome.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to determine RTW outcomes and factors associated with such outcomes using a multidisciplinary clinic model.

METHODS

Chart abstraction was performed for 194 workers who received RTW assistance over a 6-year period. Elements abstracted included demographic and diagnostic information and information about the RTW program including principles, program components, barriers, and facilitators.

RESULTS

Of the 902 workers seen for dermatologic assessment, 194 received RTW assistance. At initial assessment, 37% were not working because of their skin disease, and at follow-up, 7% were not working because of their skin disease. The RTW plan components included a graduated or trial of RTW, specific recommendations for avoiding exposure, personal protective equipment, skin management, and ongoing skin monitoring. Principles associated with successful RTW included good communication and the availability of modified work and a worker adherence to the plan. Barriers included lack of modified work, unresponsive employers, and ongoing skin problems.

CONCLUSIONS

Specific approaches are important to identify if RTW is to be successful for workers with occupational contact dermatitis.

Prevalence of Dermatitis and Superficial Fungal Infection of the Hands in Seafood Workers: An Investigation from Food Markets in Ningbo, China

Objective

Seafood workers have high risks of hand skin diseases. The purpose of this survey is to study the prevalence of occupational hand skin diseases in this population.

Methods

From March 2018 to October 2018, seafood workers in two food markets in Ningbo, China were investigated. Fungal microscopy and cultures from lesions on the hands and nails were performed. A community-based investigation of hand skin diseases was performed as a control group.

Results

One handred and eleven of 135 (82.2%) seafood workers in two food markets in Ningbo were taken into the investigation. The prevalence of hand dermatitis was 50.5% (56/111) in seafood workers, which is significantly higher than that of the control group (7.43%, p<0.001). It was found that the incidence of superficial fungal infection of the hands in seafood workers was much higher than that in community residents (26.1% vs 2.7%, p<0.001). Without wearing waterproof gloves, longer working time per day, longer history of seafood work increased the risk of hand dermatitis, instead of candidial infection of the hands and nails.

Conclusion

Hand skin diseases are highly prevalent in seafood workers in Ningbo, a city in eastern China. This public health problem should be addressed in this population.