FOLLOW-UP OF PATIENTS WITH ALLERGIC CONTA CT ECZEMA - DOES THE DOCTORS CLARIFICATION INFLUENCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ILLNESS

Follow-up of Patients with Allergic Contact Eczema/Does the doctor's c larification influence the development of the illness? The prognosis o f allergic contact eczema is not only influenced by the search for the cause of sensitization by the doctor, but also through the patient's follow-up action of avoiding the allergen. In addition to these factor s, the objective knowledge of the patient as to his or her allergen as well as the satisfaction with the doctor's clarification towards the development of the illness was investigated. In this study, 416 patien ts, diagnosed with an epicutaneous sensitization during 1990, were inv estigated via questionnaire and telephone. In 40% of the patients, the knowledge concerning their allergen was unsatisfactory. The (objectiv ely testable) knowledge and the (subjective) satisfaction of clarifica tion were directly related to the development of contact eczema. Skin disposition, wet work, and multiple sensitization were also related to the prognosis. In addition to these known and extensively researched factors, the quality of the doctor-patient relationship not only durin g the work of searching for the causal allergen, but also during follo w-up examinations, should be improved.