Occupational dermatoses in South Carolina: A descriptive analysis of cost variables

• Published in: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Vol. 9; no. 6; pp. 861 - 866
• Main Authors: Shmunes, Edward, Keil, Julian E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Mosby, Inc 01.12.1983; Elsevier
• Subjects: Absenteeism; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Costs and Cost Analysis; Dermatitis, Occupational - economics; Dermatology; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Immediate - epidemiology; Male; Medical sciences; Probability; Skin involvement in other diseases. Miscellaneous. General aspects; South Carolina; Workers' Compensation; South Carolina; Immunopathology; Skin disease; Occupational disease; United States; Eczema; Risk factor; Dermatitis; Epidemiology; South Carolina
• DOI: 10.1016/S0190-9622(83)70199-4
• ISSN: 0190-9622

The problem of occupationally related skin disease was examined by reviewing the files of all closed cases (n = 958) of skin disease processed by the South Carolina Industrial Commission for the fiscal year (FY) of July 1, 1978, through June 30, 1979. From this population, a subset (134) was queried to obtain further personal information for an analysis of cost variables. The key findings were: (1) 82% of the sampled population were atopic; assuming a 25% frequency of atopy in the general population, the relative odds of developing occupational skin disease are 13.5 times greater if one is atopic; significant association existed between increased days lost and a history of atopy. (2) Significant associations existed between higher cost items and delayed time to see physicians, history of having a preexisting rash, and younger age.