title: Prognosis of contact dermatitis in epoxy resin workers.
abstract: Between January 1993 and February 2002, 40 of 1354 (3%) workers who attended a tertiary referral occupational dermatology clinic were diagnosed with allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) from epoxy resin systems (ER). 20 of these patients were followed up at least 2 years post-diagnosis to establish prognosis. Characteristics collected at diagnosis, including age, atopic status and severity, were compared between the follow-up and not followed-up groups. No significant differences were observed. A clinician contacted patients and administered a telephone questionnaire based on variables identified from the literature, which were considered of importance for prognosis. All patients reported improvement of their skin condition since diagnosis. 12 of the 20 {60%[95% confidence interval (CI) 56-94%]} patients had applied for workers' compensation; all of these claims were successful. 16 had ceased working with ER. Of these, 9 [56% (95% CI 29-80%)] reported complete healing and 7 [44% (95% CI 19-70%)] reported ongoing dermatitis. Although no conclusions could be drawn because of the small sample size, factors that may be associated with a poor prognosis were age, atopy, duration of symptoms and severity at diagnosis. The prognosis of ACD from ER is not always favourable, even if a worker ceases exposure.
authors.affiliation: Occupational Dermatology Research and Education Centre, Skin and Cancer Foundation Inc., Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cahill
authors.forename: Tessa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Keegel
authors.forename: Shyamali
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dharmage
authors.forename: Dhini
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nugriaty
authors.forename: Rosemary
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nixon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D017453:Dermatitis, Irritant / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D004853:Epoxy Resins / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010328:Patch Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D004853:Epoxy Resins