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FS05.5
The European Standard Series in 8 European countries – first results of the ESSCA network
Author(s) -
Uter Wolfgang,
Hegewald J,
Aberer W,
Bircher A,
Brasch J,
Coenraads PJ,
Elsner P,
Fartasch M,
Frosch P,
Fuchs T,
Menné T,
Jolanki R,
Krêcisz B,
Orton D,
Perrenoud D,
Schnuch A
Publication year - 2004
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/j.0105-1873.2004.0309bh.x
Subject(s) - patch test , medicine , european standard , allergy , test (biology) , european union , contact allergy , nickel allergy , environmental health , atopic dermatitis , contact dermatitis , family medicine , demography , pediatrics , dermatology , immunology , business , architectural engineering , paleontology , sociology , engineering , biology , economic policy
Since January 2001, the European surveillance system on contact allergies (ESSCA) has developed a suitable infrastructure with the financial support of EU funding (QLK4‐CT‐2001–00343 and –2001–2812), and has started to collect patch test data. These comprise a standardized clinical history and patch test results with the European standard series, contributed by the 12 centres in 8 European countries listed above. So far, with the 2003 data collection not yet completed, 7636 patients’ test results have been pooled and analysed; current data pertaining to 2002 and 2003 will be presented. Anamnestic data reflect partly the specialties of some centres (e.g., the % of occupational and hand dermatitis ranging between 6 and 29% and 18 and 56%), partly different selection criteria or possibly also definitions (e.g., 7–32% with underlying atopic dermatitis, 40–69% of patients age 40+). The leading allergen was nickel sulfate (15.7%, age‐ and sex‐standardized), with however, large inter‐national variation (the lowest standardized prevalence, 9.7%, was observed in Gentofte, Denmark, where nickel regulation had long been introduced). The prevalence of contact allergy to Myroxylon Pereirae resin (7.8%) has almost reached the frequency found with the fragrance mix (8.3%). In the two centres using the True Test™, both percentages were even lower, which may be indicative of a systematic effect. Within a few years, ESSCA is expected to meet its objective of increased consumer safety by post‐marketing surveillance by continuously monitoring contact allergy across Europe.