Occupational contact dermatitis in blue‐collar workers: results from a multicentre study from the Danish Contact Dermatitis Group (2003–2012). (18th July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schwensen, Jakob F.; Menné, Torkil; Veien, Niels K.; Funding, Anne T.; Avnstorp, Christian; Østerballe, Morten; Andersen, Klaus E.; Paulsen, Evy; Mørtz, Charlotte G.; Sommerlund, Mette; Danielsen, Anne; Andersen, Bo L.; Thormann, Jens; Kristensen, Ove; Kristensen, Berit; Vissing, Susanne; Nielsen, Niels H.; Thyssen, Jacob P.; Johansen, Jeanne D.
• Is Part Of: Contact dermatitis. Volume 71:Number 6(2014:Dec.)
• Page Start: 348
• Page End: 355
• Publication Date: 2014-07-18
• Subjects: Contact dermatitis -- Periodicals; 616.51
• DOI: 10.1111/cod.12277
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0105-1873

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="cod12277-abs-0001"> <title>Summary</title> <sec id="cod12277-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p id="cod12277-para-0001">Blue‐collar workers have a high risk of occupational contact dermatitis, but epidemiological studies are scarce.</p> </sec> <sec id="cod12277-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives</title> <p id="cod12277-para-0002">To investigate allergic contact dermatitis in blue‐collar workers with dermatitis registered by the Danish Contact Dermatitis Group.</p> </sec> <sec id="cod12277-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p id="cod12277-para-0003">A retrospective analysis of patch test data from 1471 blue‐collar workers and 1471 matched controls tested between 2003 and 2012 was performed. A logistic regression was used to test for associations.</p> </sec> <sec id="cod12277-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p id="cod12277-para-0004">The blue‐collar workers often had occupational hand dermatitis (<italic>p</italic> < 0.001). Atopic dermatitis was less commonly observed among blue‐collar workers (19.6%) than among controls (23.9%) (<italic>p</italic> = 0.005). Allergens with a statistically significant association with the occupational group of blue‐collar workers were epoxy resins, methyldibromo glutaronitrile, 2‐bromo‐2‐nitro‐1, 3‐propanediol, potassium dichromate, and methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI)/methylisothiazolinone (MI). The following occupations were additionally identified as risk factors for contact sensitization to MCI/MI and MI, epoxy resins, and potassium dichromate, respectively: painting, construction work, and tile setting/terrazzo work.</p> </sec> <sec id="cod12277-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p id="cod12277-para-0005">Contact allergy is a major problem among blue‐collar workers. The data indicate a healthy worker effect among blue‐collar workers diagnosed with dermatitis, as blue‐collar workers were diagnosed significantly less often with atopic dermatitis than were controls.</p> </sec> </abstract>