BACKGROUND: To estimate the prevalence of nickel allergy, self-reports are sometimes used in epidemiological studies. Self-reports are practical and may facilitate estimation of prevalence provided that the questions are validated. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the validity of self-reported nickel allergy. METHODS: Three hundred and sixty-nine women, aged 30-40 years, from the general population participated in the study. The participants answered a questionnaire before a clinical examination and patch testing. The two questions being validated were 'Are you sensitive/hypersensitive/allergic to nickel?' and 'Do you get a rash from metal buttons, jewellery or other metal items that come in direct contact with your skin?' RESULTS: Patch test showed nickel-positive reaction in 30% of the subjects. Self-reported prevalence of nickel allergy as indicated by the two respective questions was 40% and 35%. Positive predictive values for the two questions were 59% (95% CI 50-67) and 60% (95% CI 51-69). History of childhood eczema was over-represented among women with 'false-positive' self-reported nickel allergy (P = 0.008). Self-reported hand eczema or 'high wet exposure' did not influence the validity. CONCLUSIONS: The validity of self-reported nickel allergy is low. The questions regarding nickel allergy overestimate the true prevalence of nickel allergy.
BACKGROUND: To estimate the prevalence of nickelallergy, self-reports are sometimes used in epidemiological studies. Self-reports are practical and may facilitate estimation of prevalence provided that the questions are validated. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the validity of self-reported nickelallergy. METHODS: Three hundred and sixty-nine women, aged 30-40 years, from the general population participated in the study. The participants answered a questionnaire before a clinical examination and patch testing. The two questions being validated were 'Are you sensitive/hypersensitive/allergic to nickel?' and 'Do you get a rash from metal buttons, jewellery or other metal items that come in direct contact with your skin?' RESULTS: Patch test showed nickel-positive reaction in 30% of the subjects. Self-reported prevalence of nickelallergy as indicated by the two respective questions was 40% and 35%. Positive predictive values for the two questions were 59% (95% CI 50-67) and 60% (95% CI 51-69). History of childhood eczema was over-represented among women with 'false-positive' self-reported nickelallergy (P = 0.008). Self-reported hand eczema or 'high wet exposure' did not influence the validity. CONCLUSIONS: The validity of self-reported nickelallergy is low. The questions regarding nickelallergy overestimate the true prevalence of nickelallergy.
Authors: P Thomas; K Stauner; A Schraml; V Mahler; I J Banke; H Gollwitzer; R Burgkart; P M Prodinger; S Schneider; M Pritschet; F Mazoochian; C Schopf; A Steinmann; B Summer Journal: Orthopade Date: 2013-08 Impact factor: 1.087
Authors: Marleen M H J van Gelder; Naomi P E Schouten; Peter J F M Merkus; Chris M Verhaak; Nel Roeleveld; Jolt Roukema Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2015-06-16 Impact factor: 5.428
Authors: Laura Kolberg; Felix Forster; Jessica Gerlich; Gudrun Weinmayr; Jon Genuneit; Doris Windstetter; Christian Vogelberg; Erika von Mutius; Dennis Nowak; Hans Drexler; Torsten Schäfer; Katja Radon Journal: ERJ Open Res Date: 2020-02-03