title: Evaluation of biophysical and clinical parameters of skin barrier function among hospital workers.
abstract: The goal of this study was to evaluate biophysically and clinically the hand skin of nurses working in the operating room in comparison with the hand skin of a control group of female administrative employees. 19 nurses and 14 employees were included in this trial. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum (SC) hydration were evaluated on 4 different test sites - dominant and non-dominant pulse, and dominant and non-dominant hand dorsum. The clinical score Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and subjective evaluation of skin sensitivity were also recorded. In comparison with the control group, TEWL values among nurses were significantly higher on all test sites, while SC hydration was significantly lower on 3 of the 4 test sites. In addition, clinical score showed the presence of irritant contact dermatitis (ICD). DLQI reported a higher level of disability among the nurses group, while the subjective evaluation of skin sensitivity was identical in both groups. The results suggest the presence of skin barrier alterations and clinical signs of chronic ICD on the hands of nurses working in operating room units.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jean Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Hachem
authors.forename: Kristien
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: De Paepe
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sterckx
authors.forename: Leonard
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kaufman
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rogiers
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Roseeuw
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017453:Dermatitis, Irritant / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004817:Epidermis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006740:Hospital Administrators; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009871:Operating Room Nursing; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D011788:Quality of Life; D014870:Water Loss, Insensible