Patch test results of the European baseline series among patients with occupational contact dermatitis across Europe – analyses of the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergy network, 2002–2010

Abstract

In the planning and implementation of measures aimed at preventing occupational contact dermatitis, the focus should be on the identified high-risk occupational groups and the most common occupational allergies.

Dermatite de Contacto Alérgica em Profissionais de Saúde

“…1,[11][12][13] Actually, more than 70% of the studied HCW had a positive PT, which is not significantly different from the whole population tested. Although, only about half of the reactive patients had an occupationally relevant positive PT, occupational ACD was documented in 38% of the HCW that searched a dermato-allergology testing, much higher than the percentage of occupational cases in the whole population tested (16%).…”

“…38,39 Apart from nickel, overall, occupational relevance of PT Revista SPDV 75 (1) A B Figure 2 -Pulpitis with fissures in a dentist (A), the most frequent pattern of ACD among dental workers and reactivity to several (meth)acrylates (B).…”

“…1 The Portuguese reality is not well documented as occupational skin diseases are seldom reported to the national authorities. 2 Contact dermatitis represents one of the most common occupational disease [3][4][5][6] and it is frequently responsible for sick-leave 7 , job loss and disability resulting in chronicity and high socio-economic impact.…”

“…9,10 Occupational allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is particularly frequent among health care workers (HCW). 1,5,6,[11][12][13][14] In the healthcare setting ACD can occur due both to delayed-type hypersensitivity mediated by allergen specific T lymphocytes that recognize low molecular weight chemicals, and immediate-type hypersensitivity, with IgE recognizing larger chemicals, like latex proteins. 12,15,16 Clinical manifestations depend on the chemical properties of the allergens, local and form of exposure (acute or chronic) 17,18 and may also be influenced by individual factors (atopy) or concomitant risk factors, like intensive exposure to wet work and skin irritants, namely with frequent and cumulative hand washing at work and at home.…”

“…21 The diagnostic work-up of ACD includes a complete physical examination, a detailed occupational history (exposure at work, use of personal protective equipment, work and skin care practices, relationship of the symptoms with work and whether other workers are also affected), and a fundamental step, patch testing, the most important investigative and diagnostic method available for studying the aetiology of delayed contact hypersensitivity. 16;22 There is lack of data in Portuguese healthcare centres, 2;28 but we have reasons to believe, according to findings in literature, 1,6,19,[23][24][25][26][27][28][29] that targeted interventions based on well documented risk factors and allergens may provide a particularly beneficial cost-benefit effect in HCW, particularly in hand eczema. 7,9 In order to manage properly the occupational ACD, detailed information on the incidence and causes of occupational ACD is needed.…”