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Characteristics of chromium‐allergic dermatitis patients prior to regulatory intervention for chromium in leather: a questionnaire study
Author(s) -
Bregnbak David,
Thyssen Jacob P.,
Zachariae Claus,
Johansen Jeanne D.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
contact dermatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0536
pISSN - 0105-1873
DOI - 10.1111/cod.12291
Subject(s) - potassium dichromate , chromium , allergic contact dermatitis , medicine , contact dermatitis , allergy , patch test , hexavalent chromium , contact allergy , dermatology , hand dermatitis , immunology , metallurgy , chemistry , inorganic chemistry , materials science
Summary Background Chromium‐tanned leather articles currently constitute the most important cause of contact allergy to chromium in D enmark. A regulation on the content of hexavalent chromium in leather was adopted in N ovember 2013 by the EU member states. Objectives To characterize patients with chromium allergy and their disease, to serve as a baseline for future studies on the potential effect of the new regulation on chromium in leather. Methods A questionnaire case–control study was performed on 155 dermatitis patients with positive patch test reactions to potassium dichromate and a matched control group of 621 dermatitis patients. Comparisons were made by use of a χ 2 ‐test and the M ann– W hitney U ‐test. Logistic regression analyses were used to test for associations. Results Sixty‐six per cent of chromium‐allergic patients had a positive history of contact dermatitis caused by leather exposure. They had a significantly lower quality of life ( p < 0.001), a higher prevalence of dermatitis during the last year ( p = 0.008), a higher use of medication during the past 12 months ( p = 0.001) and a higher prevalence of sick leave ( p = 0.007) than patients in the control group. Conclusions Chromium‐allergic patients have more severe and more chronic contact dermatitis. Their primary chromium exposure comes from leather articles.