Incidence of occupational skin diseases in occupational groups; Inzidenz berufsbedingter hautkrankheiten in hautgefährdenden Berufsordnungsgruppen

Abstract

Background and Objective. Occupational skin diseases (OSD) rank at the top of occupational diseases in Germany. We studied the cases with initial medical report of an OSD reported to our Register of OSD in North Bavaria (BKH-N). Patients/Methods. From 1990-99 5.285 cases were closed and recorded. Since the number of employees in the different occupations was known, a population-based study was performed to investigate incidences and demographic characteristics in occupations classified into 24 groups. Results. In the occupational groups in 3.097 cases a work-related skin disease was stated. The estimated overall incidence was 6.7 cases per 10,000 workers per year. The highest incidence was in hairdressers (97.4), bakers (33.2), and florists (23.9), while the largest number of cases was in hairdressers (856), health services (481), and metal-surface workers (260). The median age of all cases was 25 years. In 1.611 cases (52%) a delayed-type sensitisation with occupational relevance was perceived. Conclusions. The descriptive data of the BKH-N highlight occupational groups being at risk for OSD. The results assist in working out prevention measures aiming on lowering the incidence of OSD.

Keywords

Author Keywords

Epidemiology BKH-N Occupational skin disease Register Incidence

Index Keywords

adult female human male Humans Article Germany major clinical study occupational exposure Cohort Studies Sex Factors Occupations hairdresser incidence Dermatitis, Allergic Contact Dermatitis, Occupational Risk Factors occupational skin disease metallurgy food industry Age Factors age distribution Dermatitis, Contact register industrial worker Data Interpretation, Statistical Dermatitis, Atopic

Author Affiliations

Department of Clinical Social Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

Funding & Acknowledgements

No funding information

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Incidence of occupational skin diseases in occupational groups; Inzidenz berufsbedingter hautkrankheiten in hautgefährdenden Berufsordnungsgruppen

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