title: An analysis of gender differences in patients with hand eczema - everyday exposures, severity, and consequences.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hand eczema is often related to high-risk occupations and aggravating exposures in everyday life. The disease is twice as frequent in women as in men, partly because of diverse exposure patterns. Other gender differences may be relevant for treatment and prevention.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To gain insights into the common features and differences between men and women with hand eczema.
  
  
  METHODS
  The clinical disease severity of patients (n = 306) attending for dermatological treatment at two settings was assessed with the Hand Eczema Severity Index (HECSI). Self-reported medication adherence, aggravating factors, hand eczema-related consequences and quality of life were obtained from a questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Men and women had equal clinical severities of disease, with an overall median HECSI of 43. Self-reported medication adherence was equal between the genders, but, among patients aged > 40 years, more reported higher adherence. The impact of disease was larger in women than in men. Women reported significantly more aggravating factors and sick leave. Also, women had a more impaired quality of life than men at equal levels of disease severity, and this could be associated with the higher number of aggravating factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gender differences in hand eczema need to be considered in the dermatological treatment and counselling of patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermato-Allergology, National Allergy Research Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, Niels Andersens Vej 65, 2900, Hellerup, Denmark.
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mollerup
authors.forename: Niels Kren
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Veien
authors.forename: Jeanne Duus
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Johansen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D004485:Eczema / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: aggravating factors; allergic contact dermatitis; irritant contact dermatitis; occupational; patient counselling; treatment