Occupational contact dermatitis in Triveneto: Analysis of patch test data of the North Eastern Italian Database from 1996 to 2016.

BACKGROUND

Occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) is frequent in the workplace.

OBJECTIVES

To provide recent data on the epidemiology of OCD in Italy.

METHODS

This multicenter retrospective study, conducted from 1996 to 2016, included patients with suspected allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) patch tested in the departments comprising the North-East Italy Contact Dermatitis Group.

RESULTS

We studied 18 859 workers with a diagnosis of contact dermatitis (CD), of which 10.4% were recognized as being of professional origin. OCD declined from 1996 to 2011-2013 and increased in 2014-2016. The overall prevalence of both CD and OCD was higher in women compared to men, but the share of OCD of the total CD was greater for men compared to women. A history of atopic dermatitis was less frequent in workers with OCD than in non-OCD patients (5.8% vs 8.6%). Hairdressers were the youngest profession (27.1 ± 11.7 years). Hands were the primary site of involvement in patients with OCD (76.6%). The five highest risk occupations for OCD were hairdressers, cooks, metalworkers, chemical industry workers, and construction workers.

CONCLUSIONS

OCDs have a relevant impact in our region, mainly for five job categories, and the increase in the last 3 years suggests the need to improve preventive measures.