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The Epidemiology of Occupational Contact Dermatitis

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Condensed Handbook of Occupational Dermatology

Abstract

Work-related dermatoses, in particular hand dermatitis, are still among the most prevalent occupational diseases. There is a vast literature on work-related dermatoses, particularly case reports and investigative clinical studies; their epidemiology, however, has received little attention. Understanding the epidemiology of occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) is essential to determine the etiologie and contributing factors of the disease and to make recommendations for its prevention. Only a few truly epidemiologieal studies of OCD have been published, and most of our knowledge about OCD is derived from clinieal case reports, clinieal studies of groups consisting of in- and out-patients, statistieal compilations of patch test reports, official occupational disease reports based on workers’ compensation agencies and state labor and health departments, or from studies of small outbreaks of skin diseases at the work place. All these data sources have their limitations and must be interpreted carefully. In this chapter the methodological aspects of the available data on the distribution and determinants of OCD will be discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut und Poliklinik für Arbeits- und Sozialmedizin Abt. Klinische Sozialmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Bergheimerstr. 58, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany

    T. L. Diepgen

  2. Ziekenhuis Groningen, 9713 GZ, Groningen, The Netherlands

    P. J. Coenraads

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  1. T. L. Diepgen
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  2. P. J. Coenraads
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Dermatology, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Topeliuksenkatu 41 aA, 00250, Helsinki, Finland

    Lasse Kanerva M.D., Ph.D.

  2. Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Friedrich-Schiller University, Erfurter Str. 35, 07743, Jena, Germany

    Peter Elsner

  3. Department of Occupational Dermatology and the National Institute for Working Life, Karolinska Hospital, 11776, Stockholm, Sweden

    Jan E. Wahlberg M.D., Ph.D.

  4. School of Medicine, University of California, Box 0989, Surge 100, San Francisco, CA, 94143-0989, USA

    Howard I. Maibach M.D.

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Diepgen, T.L., Coenraads, P.J. (2004). The Epidemiology of Occupational Contact Dermatitis. In: Kanerva, L., Elsner, P., Wahlberg, J.E., Maibach, H.I. (eds) Condensed Handbook of Occupational Dermatology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-18556-4_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-18556-4_1

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