Research Plus

Healthcare workers’ dermatitis remains a problem

One in five healthcare workers (HCWs) in Denmark reported hand eczema in the previous 12 months, twice that of the background population, according to this study of 2,274 HCWs (87% female) in three Danish hospitals. One in eight HCWs (12%) reported current hand eczema and 35% had a lifetime prevalence of the condition. Of those reporting eczema in the previous 12 months, 11% had severe, 39% moderate and 50% mild symptoms. HCWs with eczema were more likely to be male (31% one-year prevalence) than female (20%) – contrasting previous research. Eczema was not significantly associated with profession but was correlated with long working hours, and with atopic dermatitis. Atopy was the only factor significantly associated with symptom severity.

Contact Dermatitis 2012; online first: doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0536.2012.02105.x.  http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1600-0536.2012.02105.x/abstract

Tags dermatitis evidence based practice healthcare worker

Occupational Health at Work August/September 2012 (vol. 09/2) pp39