title: A preliminary report of the occupation of patients evaluated in patch test clinics.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The interplay between the occupational environment and worker's skin can result in contact dermatitis of both irritant and allergic types. Other forms of dermatitis can also be influenced by occupational exposures.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to compare the occupations and allergens of occupational contact dermatitis cases with nonoccupational contact dermatitis cases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Diagnostic patch testing with allergens of the North American Contact Dermatitis Group and occupational coding by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 2,889 patients referred for evaluation of contact dermatitis, 839 patients (29%) were found to have occupational contact dermatitis. Of the 839 cases deemed occupational, 455 cases (54%) were primarily allergic in nature and 270 cases (32%) were primarily irritant in nature. The remaining 14% were diagnoses other than contact dermatitis, aggravated by work. The occupation most commonly found to have allergic contact dermatitis was nursing. Allergens strongly associated with occupational exposure were thiuram, carbamates, epoxy, and ethylenediamine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Some contact allergens are more commonly associated with occupational contact dermatitis. Nursing and nursing support are occupations most likely to be overrepresented in contact dermatitis clinics.
authors.affiliation: North American Contact Dermatitis Group and Ochsner Clinic, New Orleans, LA 70121, USA.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Rietschel
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Mathias
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Storrs
authors.forename: E F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Sherertz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pratt
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Marks
authors.forename: H I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Maibach
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Fransway
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Fowler
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: DeLeo
authors.forename: D V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Belsito
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D017453:Dermatitis, Irritant / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008145:Louisiana / Q000453:epidemiology; D009726:Nurses; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D010328:Patch Tests
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens