Table 3 Selected characteristics of work-related symptoms and specific anamnesis of study collective (n = 148)
Characteristics | Range | Median | Mean | SD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Age at initial symptoms [years] (missing data n = 3) | 15 – 67 | 34.0 | 34.0 | 12.4 |
Hairdresser tenure at initial symptoms [years] (missing data n = 11) | 0 – 44.5 | 12.5 | 15.0 | 11.9 |
Duration of symptoms at work [years] (missing data n = 9) | 0.3 – 36 | 3.0 | 5.5 | 7.2 |
Categorial variables | N | % | ||
Change of job or on sick-leave ≥2 month | 45 | 30.4 | ||
Work-related nasal symptoms | 92 | 62.2 | ||
Work-related cough and/or sore throat | 123 | 83.1 | ||
Work-related dyspnea, wheezing or chest tightness | 137 | 92.6 | ||
Progression of upper to lower airway symptoms (only nasal afflictions in the beginning, but cough or dyspnoea later on) | 25 | 16.9 | ||
Exclusively upper airways symptoms the whole time | 3 | 2.0 | ||
Most common specific workplace triggers named: | ||||
 Hair dyes in general | 123 | 83.1 | ||
 Blonde dyes | 120 | 81.1 | ||
No particular workplace triggers named: stay in saloon in general problematic | 8 | 5.4 | ||
Dust, fume, vapor or odour named as unspecific (extra-professional) triggers for airway symptoms | 101 | 68.2 | ||
Reported seasonal fluctuation of symptoms | 36 | 24.3 | ||
History of work-related hand eczema | 54 | 36.5 | ||
Known contact sensitization to hairdressers’ substance(s) overall (incl. AP) | 32 | 21.6 | ||
Known contact sensitization to AP | 12 | 8.1 | ||
Work-related urticaria to hair dyes | 14 | 9.5 | ||