The Prevalence and Severity of Hand Eczema Among Adults in Tasiilaq, East Greenland

BACKGROUND: Hand eczema (HE) is described as a common disease in Greenland, but studies on its epidemiology and severity are lacking.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the point prevalence and severity of HE among adults in East Greenland in relation to age, sex, and occupation.

METHODS: In May 2022, we conducted a cross-sectional study in Tasiilaq, East Greenland. All adults aged ≥ 18 years were invited (n = 1311 individuals).

RESULTS: A total of 295 participants accepted the invitation. Among these, the point prevalence of HE was 22.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 18.0-27.5, n = 66/295), and 5.0% based on the total invited population (n = 66/1311). The median age of participants with HE was 40 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 30-54), and the median age at disease onset was 25 years ([IQR]: 19-40). Females were more frequently affected than males (65.2%, n = 43/66). Atopic dermatitis was diagnosed in 7.6% of participants with HE. The mean Hand Eczema Severity Index (HECSI) score was 21 (range 2-112), and exposure to wet work was reported by 57.4% of the participants with HE.

CONCLUSIONS: Hand eczema is common in East Greenland, with a point prevalence similar to that in Nordic countries. The severity and distribution of HE in relation to age, sex, and occupation were comparable to those reported in other European studies.