Análisis de las dermatitis de contacto ocupacionales en Chile

Abstract

Occupational dermatoses are a major cause of disability worldwide, among which occupational contact dermatitis account for 90-95%. In Chile, there is no information on the current situation of occupational contact dermatitis. The purpose of this exploratory study was to provide an initial approach to the real scale of this condition in our country. A descriptive, retrospective, exploratory study was performed by reviewing the medical charts in a population of workers affiliated to a health care center specialized in occupational diseases from January 1 st, 2000 to December 31 st, 2005. A total of 2165 patients with occupational dermatosis were identified; of these, 329 (15.2%) had occupational contact dermatitis, representing an estimated incidence of 1.3 cases per 10,000 workers per year. Forty-five percent of the patients were women and 55% were men. The mean age was 37.8 years old. Sixty-nine percent of the patients had irritant contact dermatitis and 31% had allergic contact dermatitis. The most common occupation was construction (18.8%), followed by janitor/cleaner (17.9%) and industrial activity (15.2%). The most frequent localization were the hands (82.7%), forearms (5.2%) and fingers (4.9%). Among allergic contact dermatitis, the most frequently found allergens were nickel sulfate (43.1%), thiuram mix (30.4%) and potassium dichromate (28.4%). This study could provide the basis for the development of national studies, which would promote a wider and more accurate view of a subject affecting the working population of Chile. The data collected will allow deeper understanding of occupational contact dermatitis, which would in turn benefit our patients.