Occupational contact dermatitis in blue-collar workers: results from a multicentre study from the Danish Contact Dermatitis Group (2003–2012)

TY - JOUR

T1 - Occupational contact dermatitis in blue-collar workers

T2 - results from a multicentre study from the Danish Contact Dermatitis Group (2003–2012)

AU - Schwensen, Jakob F

AU - Menné, Torkil

AU - Veien, Niels K

AU - Funding, Anne T

AU - Avnstorp, Christian

AU - Østerballe, Morten

AU - Andersen, Klaus E

AU - Paulsen, Evy

AU - Mørtz, Charlotte G

AU - Sommerlund, Mette

AU - Danielsen, Anne

AU - Andersen, Bo L

AU - Thormann, Jens

AU - Kristensen, Ove

AU - Kristensen, Berit

AU - Vissing, Susanne

AU - Nielsen, Niels H

AU - Thyssen, Jacob P

AU - Johansen, Jeanne D

N1 - © 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

PY - 2014/12/1

Y1 - 2014/12/1

N2 - Background. Blue-collar workers have a high risk of occupational contact dermatitis, but epidemiological studies are scarce. Objectives. To investigate allergic contact dermatitis in blue-collar workers with dermatitis registered by the Danish Contact Dermatitis Group. Methods. 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. Results. The blue-collar workers often had occupational hand dermatitis (p < 0.001). Atopic dermatitis was less commonly observed among blue-collar workers (19.6%) than among controls (23.9%) (p = 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. Conclusion. 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.

AB - Background. Blue-collar workers have a high risk of occupational contact dermatitis, but epidemiological studies are scarce. Objectives. To investigate allergic contact dermatitis in blue-collar workers with dermatitis registered by the Danish Contact Dermatitis Group. Methods. 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. Results. The blue-collar workers often had occupational hand dermatitis (p < 0.001). Atopic dermatitis was less commonly observed among blue-collar workers (19.6%) than among controls (23.9%) (p = 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. Conclusion. 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.

U2 - 10.1111/cod.12277

DO - 10.1111/cod.12277

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 25041423

SN - 0105-1873

VL - 71

SP - 348

EP - 355

JO - Contact Dermatitis

JF - Contact Dermatitis

IS - 6

ER -