The epidemiology of occupational contact dermatitis

Occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) ranks first of all occupational disea ses in many countries. The incidence rate is believed to be around 0.5-1.9 cases per 1000 full-time workers per year. Epidemiological studies play an important role in observing disease trends, analysing risk factors, and mon itoring the effect of preventive measures. In this review article the lack of truly epidemiologic data on OCD and the difficulties of those studies ar e illustrated. The following issues are highlighted: case ascertainment and bias, the distribution of allergic and irritant contact dermatitis in the working population, the interrelationship between exogenous (allergens, irr itants) and endogenous factors, the prognosis, the social and economic impa ct, and the need for intervention studies.