Abstract
Background: Occupational allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is one of the most frequent diseases on the workplace worldwide. Its national incidence and prevalence were not previously studied in Tunisia. Objective: To assess incidence of occupational allergic contact dermatitis and its occupational outcome in Tunisia. Methods: Descriptive epidemiological study of all cases of occupational allergic contact dermatitis reported from 2002 to 2012 in Tunisia and recognized by the medical commissions of the National Health Insurance Fund. Results: 315 cases of occupational ACD were collected representing an annual incidence of 31.65 cases/100.000 workers in the private sector in Tunisia. The mean age of our population was 42.70 ± 9.02 years with a male predominance (sex ratio 3.03). The most affected sectors were the clothing sector (14.3% of cases) and the cement industry (13.7% of cases). Patch tests were positive in 188 patients (59.67%). The most frequently positive allergen was potassium dichromate in 27.3% of the cases. Overall, 25.4% of patients had lost their jobs. After multiple binary logistic regression, job loss had a statistically significant relationship with localization of lesions on the face and on dominant hand. Conclusion: Occupational ACD is frequent in Tunisia and is responsible for an important rate of job loss. Preventive measures must be reinforced, especially the wearing of protective gloves.
Highlights
Occupational dermatitis is one of the leading causes of occupational diseases in several countries
315 cases of occupational allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) were collected representing an annual incidence of 31.65 cases/100.000 workers in the private sector in Tunisia
Occupational ACD is frequent in Tunisia and is responsible for an important rate of job loss
Summary
Occupational dermatitis is one of the leading causes of occupational diseases in several countries. They still occupy an advanced position in the list of compensable diseases throughout the world. In Tunisia, according to the latest statistics of the National Health Insurance Fund, they still remain 4th among the compensable occupational diseases [2]. Occupational allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is one of the most frequent diseases on the workplace worldwide. Objective: To assess incidence of occupational allergic contact dermatitis and its occupational outcome in Tunisia. Methods: Descriptive epidemiological study of all cases of occupational allergic contact dermatitis reported from 2002 to 2012 in Tunisia and recognized by the medical commissions of the National Health Insurance Fund. Preventive measures must be reinforced, especially the wearing of protective gloves
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