Permanent disability from skin diseases. A study of 564 patients registered over a six year period.

An analysis of causes of permanent disability indicates which diseases most frequently result in chronicity and inability to work. A nation-wide study comprising all applications for permanent disability pension due to skin diseases in the period 1970--1976 was carried out. A total of 564 persons applied. The most common diagnosis was contact dermatitis followed by psoriasis and connective-tissue diseases. Allergic contact dermatitis alone accounted for 222 cases. 70% of these were due to nickel and chromium allergy. In all the diagnostic groups there was a preponderance of women except for hyperkeratotic hand eczema and genodermatoses. The frequency of the individual disorders in the present study is discussed in relation to their prevalence and prognosis in the literature.