OCCUPATIONAL DERMATITIS IN DANISH GARDENERS AND GREENHOUSE WORKERS(III) - COMPOSITAE-RELATED SYMPTOMS

The clinical part of the study aimed at describing epidemiological and diagnostic aspects of occupational Compositae dermatitis. Patch testi ng with the sesquiterpene lactone (SL) and Compositae mixes, feverfew extract and supplementary allergens in 250 selected gardeners showed C ompositae allergy in 25, 17 females and 8 males. 24 were possibly occu pationally sensitized. The mean age was lower and the preponderance of women higher compared to classical Compositae dermatitis, and the dis tribution and course of the dermatitis most often did not differ from other occupational plant dermatoses. The Compositae mix detected 2X as many as the SL mix, and the overall detection rate with both was 76%, making aimed patch testing necessary. Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema), m arguerite daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa ) were frequent sensitizers. Occupational type I allergy to Compositae comprised sensitization to Gerbera, chrysanthemum, lettuce, Senecio c ruentus and Aster. Among 1657 respondents in the questionnaire part of the study, 824 had worked with Compositae, and 160 (19%) reported occ upational Compositae-related symptoms of skin and mucous membranes. Po ssible risk factors for the development of these were assessed in a st epwise logistic regression model and a history of childhood eczema, ha y fever and duration of exposure were significantly associated with Co mpositae-related irritant and allergic symptoms in both sexes. (C) Mun ksgaard, 1998.