Association between tobacco smoking and prognosis of occupational hand eczema: a prospective cohort study

Summary Background Hand eczema (HE) is a common occupational skin disease. Tobacco smoking is known to be associated with adverse cutaneous effects. However, its influence on the prognosis of occupational HE has not yet been studied. Objectives To evaluate relations between smoking status, severity and prognosis of occupational HE in patients taking part in an interdisciplinary tertiary individual prevention programme (TIP). Methods In a prospective, multicentre, cohort study 1608 patients with occupational HE taking part in a TIP were recruited and followed up for 3 years. The clinical and self‐reported outcome data of smokers and nonsmokers were compared. Results Nonsmokers and smokers were equally distributed. During the TIP, the average self‐reported daily cigarette consumption and the severity of HE decreased significantly (P