title: Self-reported hand eczema among dental workers in Japan - a cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dental workers are considered to have a high risk of developing occupational hand eczema.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the prevalence of work-related hand eczema and associated risk factors in dental workers in Japan.
  
  
  METHODS
  A self-administered questionnaire was sent by mail to all dental clinics of Kumamoto City, Japan. In addition, patch testing with 24 dentistry-related allergens was offered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 46.4% of dental workers (n = 528: response 31.4%, based on 97 clinics) reported a lifetime history of chronic hand eczema. The 1-year prevalence was 36.2%. According to logistic regression analysis, the most important risk factors for the 1-year prevalence were a personal history of atopic dermatitis [odds ratio (OR) 4.7, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.2-8.8], asthma and/or allergic rhinitis (OR 2.0, 95%CI: 1.3-3.0), dry skin (OR 1.7, 95%CI: 1.1-2.7), shorter duration of work (OR 2.0, 95%CI: 1.2-3.5 for up to 10 years versus >20 years), and washing hands >10 times per day (OR 1.6, 95%CI: 1.0-2.5). Fifty-four workers were patch tested. Rubber chemicals and acrylates were the most frequent occupationally relevant contact allergens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dental workers in Japan have a high prevalence of hand eczema. Health education to prevent hand eczema and more frequent patch testing are needed.
authors: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan. may20@kumamoto-u.ac.jp, may20@384.jp.
authors: Keiko
authors: K
authors: Minamoto
authors: Watanabe Dental Clinic, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan.
authors: Takeshi
authors: T
authors: Watanabe
authors: Department of Social Medicine, Occupational & Environmental Dermatology, University of Heidelberg, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany.
authors: Thomas L
authors: TL
authors: Diepgen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003727:Dental Auxiliaries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003815:Dentists / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004485:Eczema / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests; D010655:Phenylenediamines / Q000009:adverse effects; D015995:Prevalence; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013893:Thiram / Q000009:adverse effects; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D008689:Methacrylates; D010655:Phenylenediamines; D013893:Thiram
keywords: alcohol-based hand rub disinfectant; atopic dermatitis; dental workers; epidemiology; hand eczema; hand washing; occupational contact dermatitis; wet work