B Kütting1, W Uter, W Weistenhöfer, T Baumeister, H Drexler. 1. Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany. birgitta.kuetting@ipasum.uni-erlangen.de
Abstract
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.
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.
Authors: Laura Loman; Marjolein J Brands; Anna A L Massella Patsea; Klaziena Politiek; Bernd W M Arents; Marie L A Schuttelaar Journal: Contact Dermatitis Date: 2022-04-02 Impact factor: 6.419