PCR214 Sex Differences in Chronic Hand Eczema (CHE) Triggering Factors: Comorbidities, Lifestyle, and Exposures Findings From a Multinational Study in Six Countries

Abstract

Objectives: CHE is a burdensome dermatological disease, with several subtypes and diverse etiologies. Exposure to irritants and allergens encountered in daily activities can cause or exacerbate CHE. Consequently, CHE is one of the most prevalent occupational skin diseases. Females are more likely to experience CHE, nevertheless sex-differences are not well known. Our objective is to describe sex-differences in terms of comorbidities, lifestyle and exposures that could be associated with CHE. Method(s): The CHECK (Chronic Hand Eczema epidemiology, Care, and Knowledge of real-life burden) study was conducted in adults representative of the general population in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK. Physician-diagnosed CHE was defined as eczema on the hand(s) and/or wrist(s) persisting for <=3 months or with <=2 flares in the past 12 months. Result(s): Females experienced more comorbidities than males: out of 14 comorbidities listed, 6 were more frequent for females (only one for males; p<0.05). Almost one third (30.3%) experienced emotional or mental conditions (20.3% in males; p<0.05). Females were more often working in wet occupations than males (22.6% vs. 11.4%, respectively; p<0.05). Nevertheless, proportion of females attributing their CHE to their work was not different from males. A higher proportion of females attributed their CHE to household/leisure activities (34.8% vs. 22.6%; p<0.05). They were also more likely to be exposed to irritants (41.9% vs. 31.8%), allergens (30.8% vs. 22.2%), or proteins (37.2% vs. 32.1%) (p<0.05). A larger proportion of females changed their household/leisure activities due to their CHE compared to males (40.6% vs. 29.4%) (p<0.05). Conclusion(s): Females reported more comorbidities than males, including emotional or mental conditions. Exposures to CHE-triggers were more common in females, and the CHE was more often associated with in household/leisure activities in females than in males. Different CHE trigger factors should be further investigated to better understand the impact on females experience with CHE. Copyright © 2025