Wolfgang Uter1, Olaf Gefeller1, Ana Giménez-Arnau2, Peter Frosch3, Jeanne Duus Johansen4, Marie-Louise Schuttelaar5, Thomas Rustemeyer6, Francesca Larese Filon7, Aleksandra Dugonik8, Andreas Bircher9, Mark Wilkinson10. 1. Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany. 2. Department of Dermatology, Hospital del Mar, Institut Mar d'Investigacions Mediques, Universitat Autónoma, 08003 Barcelona, Spain. 3. Department of Dermatology, University of Witten/Herdecke and Klinikum Dortmund (formerly), 44137 Dortmund, Germany. 4. Department of Dermato-Allergology, National Allergy Research Centre, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark. 5. Dermatology, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands. 6. Department of Dermatology, VU University Medical Centre, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 7. Department of Public Health, Occupational Medicine, University of Trieste, IT-34129 Trieste, Italy. 8. Department of Dermatology, University Medical Centre Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia. 9. Allergy Unit, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, 4031 Basel, Switzerland. 10. Spire Hospital, Leeds, LS8 1NT, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patch test results often vary between departments, and also between countries. Such variation may be partly attributable to systematic effects introduced by patient characteristics, differing exposures, patient selection, or methodological differences. OBJECTIVE: To examine the amount of variation of patient characteristics in terms of the MOAHLFA index and of the proportion of patients with at least one positive reaction to the (European) baseline series ('P' measure), and to examine potential reasons for the variation. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of patch test data from 63 530 consultations collected by 53 departments from 12 countries participating in the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA) ( www.essca-dc.org) between 2009 and 2012. RESULTS: Considerable variation in the prevalence of the MOAHLFA factors between departments was found, caused, for example, by differing specializations (e.g. occupational dermatology) or patient characteristics. Notable variation concerning the 'P' measure was observed; however, larger national networks (contributing to the ESSCA) tend to have quite similar ranges of this measure. CONCLUSIONS: Data from one department per country give valuable insights into the spectrum of contact allergy prevalence rates in that country, but are not as representative as national data pooled from several departments.
BACKGROUND: Patch test results often vary between departments, and also between countries. Such variation may be partly attributable to systematic effects introduced by patient characteristics, differing exposures, patient selection, or methodological differences. OBJECTIVE: To examine the amount of variation of patient characteristics in terms of the MOAHLFA index and of the proportion of patients with at least one positive reaction to the (European) baseline series ('P' measure), and to examine potential reasons for the variation. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of patch test data from 63 530 consultations collected by 53 departments from 12 countries participating in the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA) ( www.essca-dc.org) between 2009 and 2012. RESULTS: Considerable variation in the prevalence of the MOAHLFA factors between departments was found, caused, for example, by differing specializations (e.g. occupational dermatology) or patient characteristics. Notable variation concerning the 'P' measure was observed; however, larger national networks (contributing to the ESSCA) tend to have quite similar ranges of this measure. CONCLUSIONS: Data from one department per country give valuable insights into the spectrum of contact allergy prevalence rates in that country, but are not as representative as national data pooled from several departments.
Authors: Anna Tagka; George I Lambrou; George K Matsopoulos; Despoina Fytili; Daphne Mirkopoulou; Alexandra Katsarou; Argyro Chatziioannou; Alexandros Stratigos Journal: Biomed Res Int Date: 2021-05-06 Impact factor: 3.411