Publications

1. John SM (2008) Occupational skin diseases: options for multidisciplinary networking in preventive medicine. GMS Ger Med Sci 2008;6:Doc07 (Online-Publikation: http://www.egms.de/en/ gms/2008-6/000052.shtml.) 2. Skudlik C et al. (2008) Tertiary individual prevention of occupational skin diseases - a decades experience with recalcitrant occupational dermatitis. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 81(8): 10451058 3. de Jongh CM et al. (2008) Loss-of-function polymorphisms in the filaggrin gene increase susceptibility to chronic irritant contact dermatitis. Br J Dermatol 159: 621-627 4. Skudlik C et al. (2009) Multicenter study Medical-Occupational Rehabilitation Procedure Skin optimizing and quality assurance of inpatient-management (ROQ). JDDG, 7:122-127 5. Skudlik C et al. (2009) Hand Eczema in Geriatric Nurses in Germany. Prevalence and Risk Factors. Contact Dermatitis 60:136143 6. Skudlik C et al. (2009) Cooperation among clinics and practices. Integrated medical care in occupational dermatology. Hautarzt 60: 722726 7. Vo H et al. (2009) Optimized dermatologists report and hierarchical multi-step invention : Randomized evaluation of the cornerstones of preventive occupational dermatology. Hautarzt 60: 695-701 8. Wulfhorst B et al. (2010). Sustainability of an Interdisciplinary Secondary Prevention Program in Hairdressers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 83(2):165-171 9. Frosch PJ, John SM et al. (2011) International Legal Aspects of Workers Compensation for Occupational Contact Dermatitis. In: Duus Johansen J, Frosch PJ, Lepoittevin JP (eds.) Contact Dermatitis. Springer Berlin, Heidelberg, 5th edition, 1029-1051 10. Wulfhorst B et al. (2011) Prevention of hand eczema gloves, barrier creams and workers education. In: Duus Johansen J, Frosch PJ, Lepoittevin JP (eds.) Contact Dermatitis. Springer Berlin, Heidelberg, 5th edition, 985-1028

Who we are

Institute for Interdisciplinary Dermatological Prevention and Rehabilitation (iDerm)

The Institute for Interdisciplinary Dermatological Prevention and Rehabilitation (iDerm) at the University of Osnabrck is the research institution for the prevention of occupational skin diseases worldwide. It is the result of a fruitful co-operation between the University of Osnabrck and the Statutory Accident Insurance Institutions Trauma Hospital (BUK) Hamburg. iDerm offers patients with occupational skin diseases outpatient and inpatient diagnosis and therapy with a view to preserving and restoring their performance and quality of life. Patients are cared for by an interdisciplinary team in accordance with the latest state-of-the art science. Our centers in Osnabrck and Hamburg are equipped with the most comprehensive, modern technology. All diagnostic methods for the detection of occupational skin and respiratory diseases as well as a broad range of therapies aimed at ensuring sustainable healing success are part of our services. In addition, tailored support is provided pertaining to individual work and life circumstances of a patient through extensive workers education, training and counseling. The acquired practical knowledge is applied to further scientific development and research in prevention consecutively. This enables us to develop new approaches in the areas of work-related skin diagnosis, therapy, health education and health psychology, prevention and rehabilitation, and to introduce them at the cross-sectoral level. Due to the interdisciplinary approach and the close and seamless cooperation with the local dermatologists, the majority of patients with occupational skin diseases are able to maintain their workplaces. Hence, the overall concept applied by iDerm is an important step in the direction of modern disease management in occupational dermatology and can be seen as a model of functioning integrated care that may also be applied (and transferred) to other occupational illnesses.

Contact address
iDerm Osnabrck Prof. Dr. S. M. John, MD iDerm Osnabrueck Sedanstrasse 115 (ward D1) D-49069 Osnabrck Tel: +49.541.969-2357 Fax: +49.541.969-2445 [email protected] www.iderm.de iDerm Berlin Patricia Weinert Project Coordinator iDerm Berlin Spichernstr. 2-3 D-10777 Berlin Tel: +49.30.896 856 274 Fax: +49.30.896 856 292 [email protected] www.iderm.de iDerm Hamburg Prof. Dr. S. M. John, MD iDerm BG Trauma Hospital Hamburg Bergedorfer Strae 10 21033 Hamburg Tel.: +49.040.7306-3261 Fax: +49.040.7306-3203 www.iderm.de

iDerm

The burden of Occupational Skin Diseases (OSD)

Occupational skin diseases (OSD) are to date among the most frequent occupational diseases worldwide. In Europe they are considered to be the second most common workrelated health problem, in the US they account for up to 20 percent of all reported occupational diseases and in Columbia dermatological skin diseases are reported to be the third most common occupational diseases. Published figures for the prevalence of skin diseases in emerging countries range from 20 to 80 percent. It is estimated that the costs of OSD-related medical treatment, sick leave and loss of productivity in Europe exceed 5 billion Euro annually. By way of example, in the UK costs amount up to 400 million and in Germany up to 1.5 billion. In the US, total annual costs for occupational skin diseases amount to more than $ 1 billion. While no reliable figures are available for emerging countries it can be assumed that the figures would not be significantly different if comprehensive estimates were made.

Prevention makes the difference

Established scientific data demonstrate the outstanding effectiveness of OSD prevention. Prevention can save workers health and job, and significantly reduce costs for industry and society. Early dermatological interventions as well as targeted workers education have proved successful.

For social security, employers and society at large, compensation and rehabilitation costs can be reduced considerably through the implementation of comparatively cheap and viable prevention services.

Knowledge transfer, exchange and awareness raising are key

iDerm is truly committed to enhance international transfer of knowledge and to boost information exchange amongst all stakeholders with a view to improving workers health and as such ease the burden of costs for social security, the economy and society at large. One important aim is to raise awareness to the problem of OSD and the possibilities of their prevention, as occupational skin diseases and their prevention should be ascribed a higher priority on the political agenda. Every worker is entitled to a safe working environment.

Fields of research
The main goal of iDerm is the primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of occupational skin diseases in particular pertaining to: > Health education > Allergology > Related occupational respiratory diseases > Dermatological Microbiology > Skin sensitivity research > Skin bioengineering > Inpatient/outpatient diagnostics, therapy and rehabilitation > International standardization and promotion of measures > Individual susceptibility/immunogenetics of contact dermatitis > The development and assessment of product safety of skin care products, protective creams, cleaners, gloves, protective clothing > Occupational skin cancer > Quality management in occupational dermatology > Health economy.

For workers, prevention helps improve health and quality of life of those susceptible to or suffering from OSD and protect individuals from detrimental socioeconomic losses resulting from OSD (sick leave, job loss, unemployment, relocation). Through specifically tailored workers education, workers may furthermore be empowered in all professions at risk by scientifically proven approaches. Prevention measures (including technical measures, manufacturing standards, substance regulation) and skin protection strategies ensure safer work environments, a reduction to risk exposure, and ultimately increase the performance of workers. For employers, prevention measures raise competitiveness by increasing workplace productivity and avoid loss of experienced workforce, which might be difficult to be replaced. This holds particularly true for small- and medium-sized enterprises.

Our partners
iDerm develops strategic partnerships and works closely together with national, regional and international institutions such as the German Dermatological Society (DDG), the German Taskforce of Occupational and Environmental Dermatology (ABD), the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV), the European Initiative for the Prevention of Occupational Skin Diseases (EPOS), the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) and the International Prevention Section for Health Services of the International Association for Social Security (ISSA). The overall coordination is ensured by our Berlin office.

For individuals, the chronic course of OSD may result in detrimental socio-economic and psychological consequences, including job loss and long-term employment. Affected workers may require prolonged absences of work, retraining and relocation.