Inpatient tertiary prevention of occupational skin diseases [Stationäre tertiäre prävention in der berufsdermatologie]

Abstract

Intensive measures of tertiary prevention of occupational skin diseases are required, whenever employees are threatened to loose their job. 2/3 of those individuals subjected to tertiary prevention showed a long-term remain in their profession. In the year 2002 we found in 91% of cases contact dermatitis of the hands (75% primary irritant contact dermatitis [37% chronic irritant contact dermatitis, 38% irritant-induced atopic hand eczema], 16% allergic contact dermatitis). Clinical relevant Type-IV sensitizations were retrieved in 42% of cases, however, in most cases late type sensitization followed irritant contact dermatitis. In more than 83% of cases a nearly to complete remission of hand eczema could be achieved. Obtained data on tertiary prevention of occupational skin diseases reveal strategies for the optimization of medical intervention and specific risk factors related to a given profession. Differences in success rates of different professions may relate to different approaches of secondary prevention.