Skin and respiratory symptoms among workers with suspected work-related disease

Many workers are exposed to chemicals that can cause both respiratory and skin responses. Although there has been much work on respiratory and skin outcomes individually, there are few published studies examining lung and skin outcomes together.

To identify predictors of reporting concurrent skin and respiratory symptoms in a clinical population.

Patients with possible work-related skin or respiratory disease were recruited. An interviewer- administered questionnaire collected data on skin and respiratory symptoms, health history, smoking habits, workplace characteristics and occupational exposures. Predictors of concurrent skin and respiratory symptoms were identified using multiple logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex and atopy.

In total, 204 subjects participated; 46% of the subjects were female and the mean age was 45.4 years (SD = 10.5). Most subjects (n = 167, 82%) had possible work-related skin disease, compared with 37 (18%) subjects with possible work-related respiratory disease. Subjects with a history of eczema (OR 3.68, 95% CI 1.7-7.8), those from larger workplaces (OR 2.82, 95% CI 1.8-7.4) and those reporting respirator use at work (OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.2-4.8) had significantly greater odds of reporting both work-related skin and respiratory symptoms. Current smoking was also associated with reporting concurrent skin and respiratory symptoms (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.2-5.8).

Workers reported symptoms in both systems, and this may be under-recognised both in the workplace and the clinic. The association between history of eczema and concurrent skin and respiratory symptoms suggests a role for impaired barrier function but needs further investigation.