[Incidence of occupation-related skin diseases in skin-exposure occupational groups].

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.