Nickel, cobalt and chromate sensitization and occupation.
BACKGROUND
Exposure to nickel, cobalt and chromate are important causes of occupational contact dermatitis.


OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of nickel, cobalt and chromate allergy in a population of consecutive patients and to investigate the possible association with individual and occupational risk factors.


METHODS
A total of 14 464 patients (67.6% women and 32.4% men) with suspected allergic dermatitis underwent patch tests. The associations between patch test results and occupations were studied by multivariate logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
About 24.6% of the patients reacted positively to nickel sulphate, 10.2% to cobalt chloride and 8.7% to potassium dichromate. Nickel sensitization was higher in women aged 26-35 years in comparison with the youngest group (15-25 years) and the older group (> 45 years). In women, the prevalence of positive reactions to nickel was positively associated with metal and mechanical work (OR 1.54; 95%, CI 1.16-2.05). Chromate sensitization was more prevalent in building trade workers for both women (OR 1.58; 95% CI 1.00-2.49) and men (OR 2.24; 95% CI 1.55-3.22). Cobalt sensitization was associated with textile and leather work in women (OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.09-2.12) and with cleaning work in men (OR 1.86; 95% CI 1.18-2.93).


CONCLUSIONS
Our study showed interesting associations between some occupations and nickel, chromate and cobalt allergy.
Rui
Francesca
F
Clinical Unit of Occupational Medicine, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy. frui@units.it
Bovenzi
Massimo
M
Prodi
Andrea
A
Fortina
Anna Belloni
AB
Romano
Ilaria
I
Peserico
Andrea
A
Corradin
Maria Teresa
MT
Carrabba
Enrico
E
Filon
Francesca Larese
FL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002840:Chromates / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D003035:Cobalt / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009532:Nickel / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D009790:Occupations; D010328:Patch Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D002840:Chromates; D003035:Cobalt; D009532:Nickel