Our study revealed the need to implement early preventive measures and to establish a systematic review of the permanent partial disability rate attributed to workers suffering from occupational asthma before the end of the legal period of five years.

Background: Healthcare workers are at a high risk of developing Occupational Dermatitis (OD). Affected workers often experience severe impairment of their Quality of Life (QoL). This study aimed to assess the skin-related QoL of healthcare workers with OD and to explore its related factors. Methods: A cross-sectional and exhaustive study was conducted among healthcare personnel of four public hospitals in the central region of Tunisia. All the cases of OD declared were included. Skin-related QoL was assessed using the validated Tunisian version of the “Dermatology Life Quality Index” (DLQI). Some related patents were discussed. Results: A total of 37 cases of OD were collected with an annual incidence of 4.2 cases per 10000 workers. The population was predominantly female (73%) and mean aged 44.7±9.4 years. Nurses were the most represented occupational category (38%). Allergic contact dermatitis was the most frequent diagnosis (96%). Use of gloves was the most frequently reported occupational hazard (86%). The most frequently affected sites were hands (97%). The median score of DLQI was five. Multivariate analysis showed an association between the impairment of skin-related QoL and female gender (p = 0.04; OR = 19.3,84), exposure to disinfecting chemicals in the workplace (p = 0.01; OR = 17,306) and the absence of occupational reclassification (p = 0.01; OR = 21,567). Conclusion: About one third of the population had an impaired quality of life. The score impairment was significantly related to female gender, exposure to disinfecting chemicals and the absence of occupational reclassification.

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Background: Contact dermatitis is common disease and represents a significant problem in healthcare sector, mainly among nurses. Many studies reported the prevalence of contact dermatitis from different parts of the world. Nevertheless, data about its frequency in Tunisia especially in public hospital seems to be insufficient. This study aims to assess the prevalence of contact dermatitis among nurses working in public hospital and identify risk factors. Patient and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among a representative sample of 1278 health professionals working in a public hospital matched by professional status and department. The survey was based on a questionnaire, a specialized examination and patch tests. Results: The prevalence of occupational contact dermatitis was 22% (17.5-27.2). The worker profile at risk of contact dermatitis was a female nurse aged 37 years working in a surgical department during 12.7 ± 9.36 years. Hands were damaged in 92.4% of cases and rhythmicity with occupational exposure was reported by 86% of affected individuals. Patch tests using European Standard Battery were performed among 33 workers and revealed a sensitization to an allergen among 26 workers. Patch test using rubber battery (if suspicion of allergic contact dermatitis to gloves) was performed among 29 agents and positive among 12. The analytical study revealed that history of atopy, job tenure, the mean daily number of hand washing, the mean daily number of worn gloves and mean duration of glove wearing were significantly higher in the affected population. Conclusion: Contact dermatitis affects particularly nurses in public hospitals. Its prevention requires a diagnostic approach based on a detailed professional investigation and patch tests.

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IntroductionLes objectifs étaient de dresser le profil épidémiologique des patients indemnisés pour asthme professionnel dans le centre tunisien, identifier leurs caractéristiques professionnelles et évaluer les pratiques d’indemnisation de cette maladie professionnelle.MéthodesÉtude exhaustive rétrospective, menée sur une période de huit ans, à propos des cas d'asthme professionnel reconnus et indemnisés au centre tunisien par les deux seules commissions médicales habilitées à fixer le taux d’incapacité partielle permanente aux victimes des accidents de travail et des maladies professionnelles dans les sept gouvernorats du centre.RésultatsAu total, 129 travailleurs, d’âge moyen égal à 40,6 ± 7,75 ans étaient indemnisés pour asthme professionnel durant la période d’étude. Le sexe ratio était de 0,66. Les agents étiologiques les plus incriminés ont été les poussières végétales textiles (75,2%), les poussières de bois, la farine et les isocyanates. Une hyperréactivité bronchique non spécifique a été retrouvée dans 38%, un taux élevé d’IgE dans 14% et des prick tests positifs dans 10,9% des cas. Le taux moyen d’incapacité partielle permanente était de 25,6±14,2%. Ce taux était corrélé, selon l’analyse analytique, à l’âge du patient et à la commission médicale ayant fixé ce taux.ConclusionL’étude des cas d’asthme professionnels indemnisés, apportent des données pertinentes à propos des caractéristiques épidémiologiques et cliniques des patients atteints et des pratiques des comités notamment, en terme d’application du barème indicatif, mais ne permet pas l'appréciation de la prévalence, souvent sous-estimée de cette pathologie.

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