Consequences of having hand eczema.
Consequences of hand eczema were studied in 1238 patients who had the diagnosis confirmed in a prevalence study of hand eczema in the population of Gothenburg. It was found that 2/3 of the patients had consulted a doctor on some occasion and 1/5 had been on sick leave for their hand eczema. The mean total time on sick leave was 18.9 weeks, the median 8 weeks. Patients in service occupations reported more periods of sick leave than other occupational groups. Local steroid preparations were used by 1/2 the patients, emollients by 85%. Change of work was reported by 8% and was most common in service occupations. Hairdressers had the highest rate of change. 80% of the patients experienced some kind of disturbance to their social and emotional lives, considered to be caused by the hand eczema. Frequent itching was reported by 1/2 the patients, occasional itching by another 1/3. Comparing different types of hand eczema, allergic contact dermatitis seemed throughout to cause more serious consequences. It is concluded that good care of a hand eczema patient includes attention to the impact of the disease on the patient's total situation.
Meding
B
B
Department of Dermatology, University of Göteborg, Sahlgrenska Hospital, Sweden.
Swanbeck
G
G
D000041:Absenteeism; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001505:Beauty Culture; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D004485:Eczema / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012929:Psychological Distance