Health education decreases incidence of hand eczema in metal work apprentices: Results of a controlled intervention study

Abstract

Background: Metal work apprentices (MWAs) frequently develop work-related hand eczema (HE). Objectives: To evaluate the effect of health education on incidence of work-related HE in MWAs and to assess confounding factors. Materials/methods: In a prospective controlled intervention study, 131 MWAs received educational training on prevention of HE, whereas 172 MWAs and 118 office work apprentices served as controls. At baseline and during three yearly follow-ups, questionnaires were completed and hands were examined. Saliva samples were collected for assessment of filaggrin (FLG) null mutations and an explorative genome-wide association study (GWAS), and levels of various cytokines were assessed from stratum corneum samples.Results: The 2-year and 3-year incidence of HE in the metalwork control group was 20.9% and 32.6%, respectively, which was significantly higher than in the intervention group (odds ratio [OR] 2.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.31 to 5.28, P < .01 and OR 3.47, 95% CI 1.88 to 6.40, P < .0001). The knowledge score was higher in unaffected MWAs (P < .05). Other factors significantly associated with developing

Effectiveness of secondary prevention in metalworkers with work‐related skin diseases and comparison with participants of a tertiary prevention program: A prospective cohort study

“…Recently, we demonstrated in 303 metal work apprentices that FLG mutations are significantly associated with incident hand eczema during apprenticeship. 22 The rate of FLG mutation carriers in apprentices with incident hand eczema was 13.0% and thus corresponds well with the current results. In contrast to AD, FLG mutations were not associated with severity of hand eczema and not more common in TIP than in SIP patients in the present study.…”

“…36 Accordingly, we recently found a significant association between tobacco smoking and incident hand eczema in metalwork apprentices. 22 However, data on associations between tobacco smoking and hand eczema are contradictory. 37 Previously we revealed that work-related hand eczema was more severe and persistent in smokers than in nonsmokers among TIP patients and that tobacco smoking was associated with work absenteeism and leaving the workforce.…”

“…9) 31 as described before. 22 After QC, 478839 variants and 177 individuals were eligible for analysis. For GWAS, allele frequencies were compared between the SIP and TIP patients using logistic regression models with adjustment for sex and population stratification.…”

“…Automated purification of genomic DNA was performed on Autopure LS following the manufacturer's protocol (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany). The four most common FLG variants-R501X, 2282del4, R2447X, and S3247X-were analyzed with the TaqMan allelic discrimination method (Applied Biosystems, Carlsbad, California) as described earlier 22.…”

Occupational exposure to metals among blacksmiths in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

“…This could possibly be attributed to work environment, harmful effects of Hg and Pb, lack of awareness of workplace safety and the need to use PPEs (17). Furthermore, implementation of regular vocational training could reduce the burden of the disease associated with metal work apprentices (18). The effects of such exposure to metals have been observed in some related health complication as presented in Table 3.…”