Proportion of dermatitis attributed to work exposures in the working population, United States, 2011 behavioral risk factor surveillance system

Abstract

Background The US employer-based surveillance system for work-related health conditions underestimates the prevalence of work-related dermatitis. Objective The authors sought to utilize information from workers to improve the accuracy of prevalence estimates for work-related dermatitis. Methods Three state health departments included questions in the 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey designed to ascertain the prevalence of dermatitis in the working population, as well as healthcare experiences, personal perceptions of work-relatedness, and job changes associated with dermatitis. Results The percentage of working respondents who reported receiving a clinician’s opinion that their dermatitis was work-related was between 3.8% and 10.2%. When patients’ perceptions were considered, the work-related dermatitis prevalence estimate increased to between 12.9% and 17.6%. Conclusions Including patients’ perceptions of work-relatedness produced a larger prevalence estimate for work-related dermatitis than the previously published estimate of 5.6%, which included only those cases of dermatitis attributed to work by healthcare professionals.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Occupational Skin Disease in Korean Workers from the 2014 Korean Working Conditions Survey

“…Although there are differences according to the survey methods, our results were similar to those of developing countries 819. However, such rates were relatively lower than those of developed countries (9.6–17.6%) 56. The differences may be due to variations in industry structures, but may also be related to the level of disease awareness.…”

“…In the present study, 62.2% of workers with skin diseases presented with OSDs, although the prevalence of self-reported OSDs was not high. Of course, the prevalence of OSDs may be lower when diagnosed by a specialist 522. Nonetheless, questionnaire-based population studies are dependent on the participants' memories, which might result in recall bias.…”

“…According to statistics by the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency from 1999 to 2007 regarding cause investigations for industrial accidents, OSDs were more commonly observed in male participants (74.2%) 25. In addition, OSD predominantly affected male or female workers in studies conducted in other countries 57192627. Thus, we considered the analysis of gender-related differences in the occurrences of OSD.…”

“…OSD is a common cause of occupational illnesses 4. The proportion of individuals with OSD varies by country: 12.9–17.6% in the USA, 9.6% in France, 16% in Denmark and Finland, 22% in the UK, and 60% in industrialized countries 5678. The economic burden caused by OSDs in Europe and the USA is high, considering direct and indirect costs for sick leave and lack of productivity 910.…”

Occupational dermatitis

“…2 Estimates from the 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System are higher, reporting a prevalence rate of between 12.9% and 17.6% of work-related dermatitis. 3 Contact dermatitis constitutes 90% to 95% of all occupational skin diseases and includes both allergic and irritant forms. The estimated annual costs of evaluation and treatment exceed $1 billion.…”