Epidemiological analysis of occupational dermatitis notified in Brazil in the period 2007 to 2012

Abstract

BACKGROUNDOccupational dermatitis affects the quality of life and productivity of workers. Studies on the subject are scarce in Brazil. It is estimated that the disease is underreported and that many affected patients do not seek health care.OBJECTIVESTo conduct an epidemiological analysis of occupational dermatitis notified via SINAN in Brazil from January 2007 to December 2012; evaluate the profile of patients assisted; and check the main etiological agents involved.METHODSWe analyzed the compulsory notification forms of cases of occupational dermatitis filled nationwide during January 2007 to December 2012.RESULTSDuring the study period 3027 cases of occupational dermatitis were notified in Brazil. In 61.4% of cases patients were men aged between 35-49 years (39.6%). The most described etiological agent was chromium (13.9%). The location of the body most affected was the hands, with 28.4% of cases. The construction sector is implicated in 28.7% of cases and domestic services by 18%. Allergic contact dermatitis is the most prevalent occupational dermatitis (20.6%) and the region with the highest number of notifications was the Midwest, with 376.4 cases per million inhabitants.CONCLUSIONSThe profile of patients most affected by occupational dermatitis in Brazil during the study period was: men with elementary school, aged between 20 and 49 years old and working in the construction industry. The most common occupational dermatitis were allergic contact dermatitis caused by chromium after years of exposure, being the hands and head the parts of the body most affected.

Patch Test Results of Patients with Occupational Contact Dermatitis

“…Plombom ve ark., 3.027 MKD'li hastayı değerlendirdikleri çalışmalarında, en sık ellerin (%28), ikinci olarak baş bölgesinin (%20,1) etkilendiğini saptamışlardır. 23 İspanyol çalışmasında, hastaların %73'ünde ellerin etkilendiği, bunu kol/ön kol ve yüzün takip ettiği görülmüştür. 24 Bu çalışmalara benzer şekilde, biz de en sık tutulan bölgenin eller olduğunu gördük.…”

Reports of occupational dermatosis in the state of Espírito Santo from 2007 to 2016

“… 4 According to current estimates, 60% of occupational illnesses in developing countries fall in the category of OD, with 1% of all workers thought to be affected by these issues. 5 , 6 OD affect workers’ quality of life and productivity, 7 and as such, a confirmed diagnosis can benefit workers by granting their access to legal rights and compensation, while also benefiting employers by reducing the costs of absenteeism, work leave and occupational health audits, as well as the time and money spent on examinations, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. 8 In the United States, the annual cost of OD is estimated to exceed US$ 1 billion.…”

“… 8 Starting in 2002, all cases of OD treated in hospitals or health care centers were required to be reported to the National Network of Occupational Health Care (RENAST) through compulsory notification forms completed manually by trained professionals. 7 Subsequently, the year 2006 saw the implementation of a new reporting system known as the Information System on Notifiable Diseases (SINAN). The SINAN is a nationwide platform linked to the Unified Health System (SUS); it is used in all cities across the country and encompasses all workers, in both the formal and informal sectors.…”

Analysis of Prevalence and Risk Factors of Contact Sensitization with respect to the Occupational Profiles in a Greek Patient Cohort: A Retrospective Analysis of a Greek Referral Centre and Future Perspectives

“…Occupational dermatitis (OD) is defined as “skin, mucous and attachments changes directly or indirectly caused, conditioned, maintained or aggravated in professional activity or work environment” [ 1 ]. The factors that can procure contact dermatitis, related to the occupational profile of the patient, vary and can be classified into biological, physical, or chemical.…”