• Anna Reich, Annika Wilke, Günther Gediga, Hansjörg Baurecht, Elke Rodríguez, Ivone Jakasa, Johannes Geier, Martin Mempel, Timo Buhl, Stephan Weidinger, Sanja Kezic, Swen M John, Michael P Schön, and Richard Brans.
• Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
• Contact Derm. 2020 Jun 1; 82 (6): 350-360.

BackgroundMetal work apprentices (MWAs) frequently develop work-related hand eczema (HE).ObjectivesTo evaluate the effect of health education on incidence of work-related HE in MWAs and to assess confounding factors.Materials/MethodsIn 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.ResultsThe 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 HE in MWAs were smoking cigarettes (P < .01) and FLG mutations (P < .001). No significant associations were found regarding epidermal cytokine levels and GWAS.ConclusionsHealth education is effective in primary prevention of HE in MWAs. Individual factors should be considered in targeted counseling.© 2020 The Authors. Contact Dermatitis published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

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