FS08.4Prognosis of hand eczema – a 15‐year follow‐up

Aims: To study long‐term prognosis of hand eczema and to identify factors of importance for the prognosis.
Methods: A cohort of 1238 individuals with verified hand eczema diagnosis was established by a population‐based prevalence study in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 1982–83. In 1998 a questionnaire was mailed to all individuals with available addresses (n = 1115). The response ratio was 78%(868/1115).
Results: 66% reported periods of hand eczema since 1983, and 44% during the past year. 12% stated continuous symptoms. No significant difference was found between the sexes. 74% of those who reported symptoms after 1983 considered that their hand eczema had improved. Significant differences in the persistence of hand eczema were related to the age at onset of hand eczema, skin atopy, and the extension of eczema at examination. Contact allergy related significantly to occurrence of hand eczema during the year before follow‐up. 32% had visited a doctor, 7% reported sick leave periods, 2% sick pension and 3% change of occupation due to hand eczema.
Conclusions: In this population‐based study, a majority of individuals with hand eczema reported periods of eczema during a 15‐year follow‐up, implying that hand eczema is a longstanding disease. Young age at onset, history of childhood eczema and extension of the hand eczema were prognostic factors. Hand eczema did entail consequences like change of occupation, sick leave or pension in more than 10% during a 15‐year period.