Prevalence of hand dermatitis in inpatient nurses at a United States hospital.
BACKGROUND
Hand dermatitis is a significant problem among inpatient nurses. Accurate population-based data on the prevalence and risk factors for hand dermatitis in this group are lacking.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of hand dermatitis in inpatient nurses at a US hospital.


METHODS
Each nursing unit in a single hospital was visited twice by a single physician. All nurses working at the time of each visit were questioned and examined. No nurses were enrolled twice.


RESULTS
Fifty-five percent (92 of 167) of the nurses had hand dermatitis. Among intensive care unit (ICU) nurses, the prevalence was 65% (35 of 54); among non-ICU nurses, the prevalence was 50% (57 of 113). In nurses with self-reported atopic dermatitis, the prevalence was 71% (12 of 17); in nurses without self-reported atopic dermatitis, it was 53% (80 of 150). Data collection on variables such as hand hygiene and glove use relied on subject recall and was considered unreliable. There was a low prevalence of atopic patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Hand dermatitis affects over 50% of inpatient nurses. Hand dermatitis appears to be more common in the ICU setting and in nurses with a self-reported history of atopy.
Lampel
Heather P
HP
Department of Dermatology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, PA, USA.
Patel
Nisha
N
Boyse
Kathryn
K
O'Brien
Sarah H
SH
Zirwas
Matthew J
MJ
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006757:Hospital Units; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D009726:Nurses / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010414:Pennsylvania / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016526:Workload