Occupational dermatology studies in the occupational medicine clinic in Arhus. A report of the pattern of referral and results
Thestrup-Pedersen, K.; Larsen, K.O.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 150(17): 1019-1021
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-5782 PMID: 2967565 Document Number: 309817
A total of 475 patients were seen from April 1, 1984, to October, 1986, at the Section of Occupational Dermatology, Marselisborg Hospital. The patients were referred for suspected occupational skin orders. They constituted 21.4% of all patients referred to the Clinic for Occupational Medicine. The Clinic also received patients referred from non-medical persons. 26% of patients with skin symptoms were referred from Unions, security organizations, or occupational health clinics. A total of 57% of the patients referred were found to have difinite occupational skin disease, 23% were suspected of having an occupational skin disorder, whereas 18% had nonoccupational skin disease. Hand eczema was found in 3/4 of the patients with skin disease. Patch testing revealed that cutaneous allergy could only be demonstrated in 36% of cases with allergy, if the testing was performed with selected allergens not included in the standard patch test series. This was seen particularly in men.