Prevalence of contact allergy in the general population in different European regions.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Population-based studies about contact allergy are scarce.

OBJECTIVES:

To obtain reliable estimates of the prevalence of contact allergy in the general population in Europe.

METHODS:

A cross-sectional study of a random sample from the general population, aged 18-74 years, in five different European countries (Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy and Portugal). In total, 12 377 subjects were interviewed and a random sample (n = 3119) patch tested to TRUE Test panels 1-3 and Fragrance Mix (FM) II, hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde (HICC) and sesquiterpene lactone mix. A positive patch test reaction is considered as contact allergy.

RESULTS:

In total, 27·0% [95% confidence interval (CI) 25·5-28·5] had at least one positive reaction to an allergen of the European baseline series, with a significantly higher prevalence in women than in men. The highest age-standardized prevalences (≥ 1%) were found for nickel (14·5%, 95% CI 13·2-15·8), thiomersal (5·0%, 95% CI 4·2-5·8), cobalt (2·2%, 95% CI 1·7-2·7), FM II (1·9%, 95% CI 1·5-2·5), FM I (1·8%, 95% CI 1·4-2·3), HICC (1·4%, 95% CI 1·0-1·9), p-tert-butylphenol formaldehyde resin (1·3%, 95% CI 0·9-1·7) and para-phenylenediamine (1·0%, 95% CI 0·6-1·3). Only nickel and thiomersal showed a statistically significantly different prevalence for contact allergy among the different European populations. Subjects reporting contact dermatitis in their lifetime (age-standardized prevalence 15·1%, 95% CI 13·8-16·3) had an increased risk for contact allergy (odds ratio 1·9, 95% CI 1·5-2·5). The risk of having a contact allergy was not increased in those with atopic dermatitis (prevalence 7·6%, 95% CI 6·7-8·6; odds ratio 1·0, 95% CI 0·7-1·4).

CONCLUSIONS:

Contact allergy to at least one allergen of the European baseline series was diagnosed in more than one-quarter of the general European population. Therefore measures to improve the primary prevention of contact allergy have to be enforced.

• Authors: T L Diepgen, R F Ofenloch, M Bruze, P Bertuccio, S Cazzaniga, P-J Coenraads, P Elsner, M Goncalo, Å Svensson, L Naldi
• Journal: The British journal of dermatology (Br J Dermatol) Vol. 174 Issue 2 Pg. 319-29 (Feb 2016) ISSN: 1365-2133 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 26370659 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2015 British Association of Dermatologists.

Chemical References

• Allergens

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Age Distribution
• Aged
• Allergens (adverse effects)
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Dermatitis, Allergic Contact (epidemiology)
• Europe (epidemiology)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Patch Tests
• Prevalence
• Residence Characteristics
• Sex Distribution
• Young Adult