The prevalence of hand dermatitis among intensive care unit nurses.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers are at high risk of developing occupational hand dermatitis (HD) due to their frequent exposure to wet-work and use of gloves. Complaints of HD may interfere with work and cause loss of work productivity, or sick leave, and may have impact on job pleasure and performing daily activities. The prevalence of HD among intensive care unit (ICU) nurses is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the point prevalence and the 1-year prevalence of HD among ICU nurses, and to determine the impact of HD on work and daily activities. METHOD: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was performed among ICU nurses. Participants were recruited in the Amsterdam University Medical Centre. A symptom-based questionnaire was used to determine HD and atopic predisposition, and an additional questionnaire was used concerning the influence of HD. ICU nurses with an atopic predisposition or symptoms suiting HD were invited for the hand dermatitis consultation hour (HDCH). Data were analysed with logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 184 ICU nurses were included. The point prevalence of HD was 9.8% (95% CI: 5.9-15.0) and the 1-year prevalence was 26.6% (95% CI: 20.4-33.6). Sick leave was reported by 0.5%. HD seemed to have more impact on job pleasure than on work productivity. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence rate of HD resulting from our study highlights the need for the prevention of occupational HD among healthcare workers.

The prevalence of contact dermatitis among surgical assistants, anaesthesia assistants and anaesthesiologists working at the Amsterdam University Medical Centre.

BACKGROUND: Professions requiring frequent and/or long lasting wet-work are at high risk for contact dermatitis (CD). CD may lead to loss of work productivity, sick leave and reduced quality of work. The 1-year prevalence of healthcare workers varies between 12% and 65%. However, the prevalence of CD among surgical assistants, anaesthesia assistants and anaesthesiologists is unknown. OBJECTIVES: (1) To establish the point-prevalence and 1-year prevalence among surgical assistants, anaesthesia assistants and anaesthesiologists and (2) to determine the impact of CD on work and daily activities. METHOD: A single-centre cross-sectional prevalence study was conducted among surgical assistants, anaesthesia assistants and anaesthesiologists. Data were obtained from the Amsterdam University Medical Centre between the 1 June 2022 and 20 July 2022. For data collection, a questionnaire was used, derived from the Dutch Association for Occupational Medicine (NVAB). Participants with an atopic predisposition or symptoms of CD were invited to the contact dermatitis consultation hour (CDCH). RESULTS: A total of 269 employees were included. The total point prevalence of CD was 7.8%; 95% CI: 4.9-11.7, the total 1-year prevalence was 28.3%; 95% CI: 23.0-34.0. The point-prevalence among surgical assistants, anaesthesia assistants and anaesthesiologists was 14%, 4% and 2%, respectively. The 1-year prevalence was 49%, 19% and 3%, respectively. Two employees reported changed work-tasks because of symptoms, no sick days were reported. The majority of the visitors of the CDCH indicated an impact on work productivity and daily activities because of CD; however, the extent to which varied widely. CONCLUSION: This study established that CD is a relevant occupational health disease among surgical assistants, anaesthesia assistants and anaesthesiologists.