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Work-related hand dermatitis is a common problem that is responsible for considerable morbidity and lost productivity. Investigators at a German occupational dermatology clinic examined monetary and quality-of-life consequences of work-related hand dermatitis in 151 patients (mean age, 45; >65% male).
Disease was mild-to-moderate in 58 patients; the rest had moderate-to-severe involvement. As assessed by the Dermatology Life Quality Index, the impact of hand dermatitis was moderate to extremely large in approximately 75% of patients, even those with mild or moderate disease. The average number of days of work missed because of hand problems was 76.4; the annual societal cost topped $11,000 per patient. Nearly 70% of the cost was due to lost …