NATIONAL RATES AND REGIONAL DIFFERENCES IN SENSITIZATION TO ALLERGENSOF THE STANDARD SERIES - POPULATION-ADJUSTED FREQUENCIES OF SENSITIZATION (PAFS) IN 40,000 PATIENTS FROM A MULTICENTER STUDY (IVDK)

Sensitization rates to contact allergens vary between centers and are influenced by sex and age. Eliminating the latter 2 factors by standar dization of data by age and sex, the present analysis adresses possibl e differences between centers remaining after elimination of these con founders, and analyzes other factors which might influence rates, e.g. , the MOAHL index. Overall standardized rates were well within the ran ge reported in previous studies and may be regarded as representing th e rates of the ''patch test population'' in Central Europe (e.g., nick el sulfate 12.9%, fragrance mix 10.5%, balsam of Peru 7.3%, thimerosal 5.6%). For this analysis, data of those departments which contributed more than 2000 patients, or of those with extreme proportions concern ing sex, age and occupational cases were selected. Patients from these 10 departments differed considerably with regard to the items of the MOAHL index and with regard to standardized rates. The items of the MO AHL index proved to be suitable for describing different patch test po pulations and for explaining some differences between centers. Only 'a topic dermatitis' seems to have little influence on (standardized) rat es. Face dermatitis is not yet represented in the MOAHL index, but sho uld be included, together with age >40 years, in an extended index (ac ronym: MOAHLFA). Regional allergen exposure (with striking differences between East Germany, West Germany and, to a lesser extent, Austria) seems to have a great influence on the sensitization pattern observed in a department. In addition, sociological factors may influence sensi tization rates, which is exemplified by high rates of nickel allergy i n a socially defined subgroup. Future studies should focus on these fa ctors, as well as on factors concerning patch test practices and quali ty control.