Maja H Fisker1, Tove Agner2, Jennifer A Sørensen1,2, Søren G Vejlstrup1, Jane Lindschou3, Christian Gluud3, Per Winkel3, Jens P Bonde1, Niels E Ebbehøj1. 1. Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. 2. Department of Dermatology, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. 3. Copenhagen Trial Unit (CTU), Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Sickness absence in hand eczema patients has been associated with stress rather than disease severity, indicating that personal aspects regarding hand eczema should be investigated further. OBJECTIVES: To examine whether patient education vs treatment as usual can influence behaviour and knowledge regarding skin protection and care, as well as personal resources, in patients with occupational hand eczema. METHODS:PREVEX is an individually randomized clinical trial investigating the 1-year effects of a simple, low-cost group-counselling programme vs treatment as usual for patients with notified occupational hand eczema. Exploratory outcomes were behaviour, knowledge, self-efficacy, and self-evaluated skin care ability. RESULTS: In total, 1668 patients with notified occupational skin disease were invited to participate, of whom 769 were randomized and 756 were analysed: intervention group (n = 376) vs control group (n = 380). Behaviour was improved and the knowledge score increased in the intervention group as compared with the control group (respectively: estimate 0.08; 95%CI: 0.02-0.19; P = .01; and estimate 0.49; 95%CI: 0.28-0.70; P < .001). Self-efficacy was lower in the intervention group as compared with the control group (estimate -0.78; 95%CI: -1.25 to -0.30; P = .001). No difference was found regarding skin care abilities. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention had a positive influence on 1-year behaviour and knowledge, but was insufficient to result in long-term positive changes in personal resources regarding dealing with hand eczema.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Sickness absence in hand eczemapatients has been associated with stress rather than disease severity, indicating that personal aspects regarding hand eczema should be investigated further. OBJECTIVES: To examine whether patient education vs treatment as usual can influence behaviour and knowledge regarding skin protection and care, as well as personal resources, in patients with occupational hand eczema. METHODS: PREVEX is an individually randomized clinical trial investigating the 1-year effects of a simple, low-cost group-counselling programme vs treatment as usual for patients with notified occupational hand eczema. Exploratory outcomes were behaviour, knowledge, self-efficacy, and self-evaluated skin care ability. RESULTS: In total, 1668 patients with notified occupational skin disease were invited to participate, of whom 769 were randomized and 756 were analysed: intervention group (n = 376) vs control group (n = 380). Behaviour was improved and the knowledge score increased in the intervention group as compared with the control group (respectively: estimate 0.08; 95%CI: 0.02-0.19; P = .01; and estimate 0.49; 95%CI: 0.28-0.70; P < .001). Self-efficacy was lower in the intervention group as compared with the control group (estimate -0.78; 95%CI: -1.25 to -0.30; P = .001). No difference was found regarding skin care abilities. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention had a positive influence on 1-year behaviour and knowledge, but was insufficient to result in long-term positive changes in personal resources regarding dealing with hand eczema.