Evaluation of the secondary and tertiary prevention strategies against occupational contact dermatitis in Germany: A systematic review

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In Germany, a stepwise multidisciplinary approach has been established to prevent occupational skin diseases (OSDs), primarily occupational contact dermatitis. This review aims to perform a systematic evaluation of the short- and long-term effects of the German secondary and tertiary individual prevention programmes (SIP and TIP, respectively) for OSDs. Primary outcomes were continuation of employment, severity of hand dermatitis, and quality of life (QoL). The PubMed and Embase databases were searched for studies reporting the effects of the SIP and TIP. A total of 19 studies encompassing 5527 patients with OSDs were included: 11 studies evaluated the SIP and 8 evaluated the TIP. Following the SIP, approximately 70% to 90% and 60% to 70% of patients remained in their occupation after 1 and 5 years, respectively. At 3 years after the TIP, 82.7% of patients remained in their occupation and exhibited a significant decrease in hand dermatitis severity, as well as an increase in QoL. Most of these studies were uncontrolled and the interventions, outcomes, and measurement instruments used were heterogeneous. The SIP and TIP lead to decreased disease severity, improved QoL, and enabled most patients to continue working in their chosen professions. Implementing a similar multidisciplinary approach across Europe may be beneficial.

Original languageEnglish
Book seriesContact Dermatitis
Volume87
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)142-153
Number of pages12
ISSN0105-1873
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding information: M.G.A. and J.D.J. were financially supported by an unrestricted grant from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency.

    Research areas

  • contact dermatitis, hand eczema, occupational, quality of life, secondary prevention, tertiary prevention

ID: 314064761