S Cazzaniga1,2, B K Ballmer-Weber3, N Gräni3, P Spring4, A Bircher5, M Anliker6, A K Sonntag7, P Piletta8, C Huber8, L Borradori1, T Diepgen9, C Apfelbacher10, D Simon1. 1. Department of Dermatology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland. 2. Centro Studi GISED, Bergamo, Italy. 3. Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. 4. Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Lausanne CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland. 5. Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland. 6. Department of Dermatology, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland. 7. Department of Dermatology, Cantonal Hospital Aarau, Aarau, Switzerland. 8. Department of Dermatology, Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), Geneva, Switzerland. 9. Department of Clinical Social Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Dermatology, University Hospital, Ruprecht Karls University, Heidelberg, Germany. 10. Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hand eczema (HE) is a common skin disease with major medical psychological and socio-economic implications. Onset and prognosis of HE are determined by individual as well as environmental factors. So far, most epidemiological data on HE have been reported from Scandinavian and recently German studies. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics and medical care of patients with chronic HE (CHE) in Switzerland, and identify risk factors. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, data from patients with chronic HE were obtained by means of medical history, dermatological examination and patient questionnaires. Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied to identify risk factors for high severity and dermatology life quality index (DLQI). RESULTS: In seven dermatology departments, 199 patients (mean age 40.4 years, 50.8% female) with CHE (mean duration 6.6 years) were enrolled. Moderate to severe HE was reported by 70.9% of patients, and was associated with age <30 or >50 years, localization of lesions and pruritus. Because of the CHE, 37.3% of patients were on sick leave over the past 12 months, 14.8% had changed or lost their job. Practically all patients applied topical therapy, 21% were treated with alitretinoin, and 21% with psoralen plus UVA light (PUVA). The effects on the health-related quality of life was moderate to large in 33.7% and 39.4% of CHE patients, respectively. Factors associated with a high impact on DLQI (mean 9.7 ± 5.8) were female sex, lesions on back of the hands and pruritus as well as mechanical skin irritation and wearing gloves. CONCLUSION: In agreement with recent studies, the Swiss data demonstrate the high impact of CHE on medical well-being, patient quality of life and work ability. As it is associated with an intense use of health care services, high rate of sick leave, job loss and change, CHE may cause a high socio-economic burden.
BACKGROUND:Hand eczema (HE) is a common skin disease with major medical psychological and socio-economic implications. Onset and prognosis of HE are determined by individual as well as environmental factors. So far, most epidemiological data on HE have been reported from Scandinavian and recently German studies. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics and medical care of patients with chronic HE (CHE) in Switzerland, and identify risk factors. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, data from patients with chronic HE were obtained by means of medical history, dermatological examination and patient questionnaires. Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied to identify risk factors for high severity and dermatology life quality index (DLQI). RESULTS: In seven dermatology departments, 199 patients (mean age 40.4 years, 50.8% female) with CHE (mean duration 6.6 years) were enrolled. Moderate to severe HE was reported by 70.9% of patients, and was associated with age <30 or >50 years, localization of lesions and pruritus. Because of the CHE, 37.3% of patients were on sick leave over the past 12 months, 14.8% had changed or lost their job. Practically all patients applied topical therapy, 21% were treated with alitretinoin, and 21% with psoralen plus UVA light (PUVA). The effects on the health-related quality of life was moderate to large in 33.7% and 39.4% of CHE patients, respectively. Factors associated with a high impact on DLQI (mean 9.7 ± 5.8) were female sex, lesions on back of the hands and pruritus as well as mechanical skin irritation and wearing gloves. CONCLUSION: In agreement with recent studies, the Swiss data demonstrate the high impact of CHE on medical well-being, patient quality of life and work ability. As it is associated with an intense use of health care services, high rate of sick leave, job loss and change, CHE may cause a high socio-economic burden.
Authors: Laura Grant; Lotte Seiding Larsen; Kate Burrows; Donald V Belsito; Elke Weisshaar; Thomas Diepgen; Julie Hahn-Pedersen; Ole E Sørensen; Rob Arbuckle Journal: Adv Ther Date: 2020-01-19 Impact factor: 3.845
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