Contact allergy and hand eczema in Swedish dentists.
Hand eczema and contact allergy in Swedish dentists were studied in a multidisciplinary project. The aims of the study were to establish diagnoses, to investigate the occurrence of contact allergy, in particular to (meth)acrylates, and to evaluate certain consequences of hand eczema. A postal questionnaire on skin symptoms, atopy and occupational experience was mailed to 3,500 dentists aged <65 years, and licensed 1965-1995. The response rate was 88%. Among dentists living in 3 major cities, 14.9% (n= 191) reported hand eczema during the previous year. They were invited to a clinical examination, including patch testing with a standard and a dental series. 158/191 (83%) dentists attended, and hand eczema diagnosis was confirmed in 149/158 (94%). Irritant contact dermatitis was diagnosed in 67% and allergic contact dermatitis in 28%. On patch testing, 50% presented at least 1 positive reaction. The most frequent allergens were nickel sulfate, fragrance mix, gold sodium thiosulfate and thiuram mix. 7 (5%) had positive reactions to (meth)acrylates, all to 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and 6 also to ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate. 38% had consulted a physician, 4% had been on sick-leave and 1% had changed occupational tasks due to hand eczema. No dentist with allergy to acrylates had been on sick-leave or changed occupation. It is concluded that dentistry is a high-risk occupation for hand eczema, and that irritant contact dermatitis is most common. The prevalence of contact allergy to acrylates was below 1% in the population of responding dentists, and in most cases did not have serious medical, social or occupational consequences.
Wallenhammar
L M
LM
Occupational Dermatology, National Institute for Working Life, Stockholm, Sweden.
Ortengren
U
U
Andreasson
H
H
Barregård
L
L
Björkner
B
B
Karlsson
S
S
Wrangsjö
K
K
Meding
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000009:adverse effects; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000009:adverse effects; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000009:adverse effects; D003815:Dentists / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017453:Dermatitis, Irritant / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004485:Eczema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D012971:Gold Sodium Thiosulfate / Q000009:adverse effects; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007509:Irritants / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009532:Nickel / Q000009:adverse effects; D010476:Perfume / Q000009:adverse effects; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D013893:Thiram / Q000009:adverse effects
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D003764:Dental Materials; D007509:Irritants; D008689:Methacrylates; D010476:Perfume; D013893:Thiram; C029938:nickel sulfate; C005044:hydroxyethyl methacrylate; C004919:ethylene dimethacrylate; D009532:Nickel; D012971:Gold Sodium Thiosulfate