Skin symptoms and work-related skin symptoms among grape farmers in Crete, Greece.
BACKGROUND
Grape farmers are exposed to a variety of agents capable of inducing occupational skin disease. We conducted a study to measure the prevalence of skin symptoms and work-related skin symptoms among grape farmers in the Malevisi region of Crete and to provide data on associated risk factors.


METHODS
One hundred twenty grape farmers and 100 controls participated in the study. The protocol consisted of a questionnaire, skin prick tests for 16 common allergens, and measurement of specific IgE antibodies against 8 allergens.


RESULTS
Self-reported itchy rash (OR, 2.31; 95%CI, 1.10-4.84, P<0.05) within the last 12 months, and work-related itchy rash (OR, 4.08; 95%CI, 1.01-20.33, P<0.05) were significantly higher in grape farmers than in controls, after adjusting for age and sex. Sensitization to pollens (OR, 4.20; 95% CI, 1.41-12.82, P<0.01) and allergic rhinitis (OR, 3.06; 95% CI, 1.21-8.28, P<0.05) were found to be significantly associated with self-reported itchy rash in the grape farmers group.


CONCLUSIONS
Grape farmers reported skin symptoms more frequently than non-exposed controls, and IgE-mediated sensitization to pollens was found to be significantly associated with the reported symptoms. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of specific occupational agents on skin diseases among grape farmers.
Chatzi
Leda
L
Clinic of Social and Family Medicine, Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece. ledahatzi@yahoo.gr
Alegakis
Athanasios
A
Krüger-Krasagakis
Sabine
S
Lionis
Christos
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000485:Allergens / Q000145:classification / Q000633:toxicity*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005076:Exanthema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011058:Pollen / Q000633:toxicity; D015995:Prevalence; D011537:Pruritus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D027843:Vitis
D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E