Does smoking have a significant impact on early irritant hand dermatitis in metal workers?

BACKGROUND

Although they know the long-term complications of smoking, many smokers require additional motivation for entering a smoking cessation programme. At the same time, smoking is considered a possible promoting factor for various skin diseases.

OBJECTIVE

The present study assesses the impact of smoking on occupational hand dermatitis in a high-risk population.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

1,355 metal workers, 97.3% of them shift workers, took part in a standardized interview and a dermatological examination of their hands. A subgroup of 1,020 males was willing to be followed-up for 1 year. Of those, 78.3% could be included in the final assessment.

RESULTS

Compared to the general German adult population the percentage of smokers was increased (41.7% at baseline). Probably due to self-selection bias and to a higher drop-out rate, the proportion of smokers was significantly lower at follow-up. Compared to nonsmokers, smokers had significantly higher score values for both erythematous lesions and vesicles.

CONCLUSION

The present data might give additional support for occupational physicians or dermatologists to convince workers to quit smoking.