Acceptance of semipermeable glove liners compared to cotton glove liners in health care workers with work-related skin diseases: Results of a quasi-randomized trial under real workplace conditions

TY - JOUR

T1 - Acceptance of semipermeable glove liners compared to cotton glove liners in health care workers with work-related skin diseases: Results of a quasi-randomized trial under real workplace conditions

AU - Heichel, Theres

AU - Brans, Richard

AU - John, Swen Malte

AU - Nienhaus, Albert

AU - Nordheider, Kathrin

AU - Wilke, Annika

AU - Sonsmann, Flora K

N1 - © 2021 The Authors. Contact Dermatitis published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

PY - 2021/11

Y1 - 2021/11

N2 - BACKGROUND: Glove liners (GLs) made of cotton (COT) are worn under impermeable gloves to prevent occlusion effects. Semipermeable GLs made of Sympatex (SYM) might be an alternative.OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the acceptance of GLs (COT/SYM) in health care workers (HCWs) with work-related skin diseases (WRSDs).METHODS: One hundred sixty-one HCWs with WRSDs were asked to wear GLs in combination with occlusive gloves for 10 ±2 weeks under workplace conditions. A questionnaire was applied to compare acceptance and usability of the respective glove combinations and previously used protective gloves (PUGs).RESULTS: A total of 120 data sets were available (SYM: n = 65, 77.4%; COT: n = 55, 71.4%). Both GLs provided a significantly lower sweating sensation, more pleasant climate, comfortable wearing experience, and moist or dry feeling on the skin compared to PUGs. SYM-GLs performed significantly better than COT-GLs regarding mobility of hands, sensitivity, and sense of touch. COT-GLs were significantly better than SYM-GLs in the categories fit, donning and doffing, and material contact.CONCLUSIONS: Both GLs did not impair work performance, were applicable in various areas of health care activities, and were preferred over PUGs. Our results indicate that SYM-GLs are an alternative to COT-GLs and thus may contribute to current prevention strategies.

AB - BACKGROUND: Glove liners (GLs) made of cotton (COT) are worn under impermeable gloves to prevent occlusion effects. Semipermeable GLs made of Sympatex (SYM) might be an alternative.OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the acceptance of GLs (COT/SYM) in health care workers (HCWs) with work-related skin diseases (WRSDs).METHODS: One hundred sixty-one HCWs with WRSDs were asked to wear GLs in combination with occlusive gloves for 10 ±2 weeks under workplace conditions. A questionnaire was applied to compare acceptance and usability of the respective glove combinations and previously used protective gloves (PUGs).RESULTS: A total of 120 data sets were available (SYM: n = 65, 77.4%; COT: n = 55, 71.4%). Both GLs provided a significantly lower sweating sensation, more pleasant climate, comfortable wearing experience, and moist or dry feeling on the skin compared to PUGs. SYM-GLs performed significantly better than COT-GLs regarding mobility of hands, sensitivity, and sense of touch. COT-GLs were significantly better than SYM-GLs in the categories fit, donning and doffing, and material contact.CONCLUSIONS: Both GLs did not impair work performance, were applicable in various areas of health care activities, and were preferred over PUGs. Our results indicate that SYM-GLs are an alternative to COT-GLs and thus may contribute to current prevention strategies.

U2 - 10.1111/cod.13929

DO - 10.1111/cod.13929

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 34232510

VL - 85

SP - 543

EP - 553

JO - CONTACT DERMATITIS

JF - CONTACT DERMATITIS

SN - 0105-1873

IS - 5

ER -