Tertiary prevention of occupational skin diseases: Prevalence of allergic contact dermatitis and pattern of patch test results

Abstract

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.

Keywords: contact allergy; contact dermatitis; hand eczema; occupational skin diseases; patch test; work-related.