Self-reported occupational exposure to chemical and physical factors and risk of skin problems: a 3-year follow-up study of the general working population of Norway.
Prospective studies on occupational dermatoses in the general working population are sparse. This study investigated prospectively the impact of self-reported occupational exposure to chemicals and physical factors on the risk of skin problems. The cohort comprised respondents drawn randomly from the general population in Norway, who were registered employed in 2006 and 2009 (n = 6,745). Indoor dry air (odds ratio (OR) 1.3; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.1-1.6) was a significant baseline predictor of skin problems at follow-up, whereas exposure to cleaning products (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.2-2.5), water (OR 1.4; 95% CI 1.1-1.9) and indoor dry air (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.1-2.1) at both measurement time-points was significantly associated with skin problems. The population risk attributable to these factors was 16%. This study quantified the contribution of occupational exposure factors to skin problems in the general working population of Norway.
Department of Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology, National Institute of Occupational Health, Pb 8149 Dep, N-0033 Oslo, Norway. jose.alfonso@stami.no.
Jose Hernan
JH
Alfonso
Jacob P
JP
Thyssen
Tore
T
Tynes
Ingrid Sivesind
IS
Mehlum
Håkon A
HA
Johannessen
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003902:Detergents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D014867:Water / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult
D003902:Detergents; D014867:Water