Background Occupational skin diseases (OSDs) are common in healthcare workers (HCWs). Objectives To investigate and compare the incidence and clinical features of OSDs among HCWs before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Materials and Methods Incident cases of OSDs were investigated in the cohort of HCWs at Trieste Hospitals from 1 July 2018 (3340 workers) to 31 October 2021 (137 532 person‐months). Results The monthly incidence was ranging from 0 to 11.90 cases per 10 000 person‐months in pre‐COVID‐19 period (cumulative incidence 4.22; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.9–6.0) and from 0 to 13.61 cases per 10 000 person‐months in COVID‐19 period (cumulative incidence 5.06; 95% CI: 3.6–6.9). The incidence rate ratio (IRR) between COVID‐19 and pre‐COVID‐19 period was 1.22 (95% CI: 0.73–1.98). The incidence of OSDs in the COVID‐19 period was 6.1 (4.2–8.6) and 2.7 (95% CI: 1.1–5.6) cases × 10 000 person‐months for women and men, respectively, with an IRR of 2.25 (95% CI: 0.98–5.9). Incidence in nurses in the COVID‐19 period was 6.7 (95% CI: 4.2–10.2) cases × 10 000 person‐months. Conclusions Incidence of OSDs was a little bit higher during the COVID‐19 pandemic compared to the previous period but fluctuation of numbers were mainly related to calendar period, with higher incidence in winter and spring. Incidence data were higher than that observed in 2004–2013 in the same cohort. Face dermatitis cases doubled after the start of COVID‐19 pandemic. Overall data demonstrated a non‐significant increase of OSDs in HCWs during the pandemic, probably due to the preventive strategies set up in our cohort over the years.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.