[Occupational dermatitis in cleaning and maintenance workers. Analysis of 769 cases declared to the Caisse Nationale d'Assurance Maladie des Travailleurs Salariés between 2004 and 2007]

Abstract

Background: Employees active in the cleaning and maintenance industry (CMI) are particularly exposed to occupational eczema (OE), which affects the hands in 80 to 90% of cases. This risk of OCE in France was evaluated using data collected by the Occupational Risks Division of the French National Health Insurance Fund for Salaried Workers (CNAMTS).

Patients and methods: All cases of OE among CMI employees declared to and recognized by the CNAMTS between 1st January 2004 and 31st December 2007 were selected. The following parameters were noted in each case: age, gender, trade in question, National Health Insurance Office of residence, causal agent and number of days of sick leave. The incidence per 100,000 employees could be determined from the total number of employees followed up by occupational medicine and the numbers working in the CMI.

Results: For the 4 years studied, 769 cases of OE were reported in CMI workers representing 2.6% of the salaried employee population. The annual incidence of OE was 43.5 per 100,000 employees. There was a marked female predominance (75.7%). OE led to loss of 32,714 workdays.

Conclusion: This is the first study conducted in France about OE among NIS employees. It highlights the socioeconomic impact of OE. The difficulties of interpretation show the limits of recognition of occupational disease. Analysis of cases of OE in France and monitoring require the development of a specific database to clarify risk situations and identify priority regional and national preventive actions.