A Follow-Up Study of the Occupational Hand Eczema and Skin Damage Risk in Healthcare Providers From Romania in Time of Covid-19

Abstract

The aim of this work was to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of self-reported, work-related occupational hand eczema, targeting personnel working in hospitals and ambulatory units throughout Romania. A standardized questionnaire was specifically addressed to healthcare professionals from different medical fields. Out of 245 healthcare providers who took part in the survey, 161 (65.71%) were nurses, and 235 (95.92) women, which confirms that women are prevalent in this working sector. The latex powder-gloves were the most frequently implied trigger factor, 223 (91.02%) responders reported the daily use of protective gloves and 37 (15.12%) of them have reported the protective gloves as a possible cause for skin lesions. Also, an important part of responders testified a prolonged contact with water, which confirms the importance of wet environment in inducing occupational hand eczema. In addition, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis of powder free latex gloves was performed in order to establish a correlation between the elemental composition and risk factors for hand eczema. The results support the implication of Cd and Ca, which were detected on the inner faces of the gloves, to the toxicity to the skin. RezumatObiectivul studiului a fost de a estima prevalența și factorii de risc asociați eczemelor de contact profesionale, raportate de personalul medical din spitalele și unitățile ambulatorii din România. Un chestionar standard a fost adresat personalului medical din diferite specialități. Din cele 245 de cadre medicale care au participat la studiu, 161 (65,71%) au fost infirmiere și 235 (95,92%) femei, ceea ce confirmă faptul că femeile sunt predominante în acest sector de activitate. Mănușile din latex pudrate au fost cel mai incriminat factor declanșator, 223 (91,02%) respondenți raportând folosirea zilnică a mănușilor, iar 37 (15,12%) dintre ei au raportat mănușile ca posibilă cauză a leziunilor cutanate. Totodată o pondere importantă a respondenților au raportat un contact prelungit cu apa, ceea ce confirmă importanța mediului umed în apariția eczemelor de contact profesionale. În plus, s-a efectuat analiza spectroscopică fotoelectronică cu raze X (XPS) a mănușilor din latex pentru a stabili o corelație între compozitia elementală și factorii de risc pentru eczema de contact. Rezultatele susțin implicarea Cd și Ca, care au fost detectate pe suprafața internă a mănușilor, în toxicitatea la nivel cutanat.

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