DIFFERENTIATED LISTS OF CONTACT ALLERGENS ARE HELPFUL TO IMPROVE QUALITY - RESULTS FROM A COOPERATION OF THE DKG AND IVDK (DATA FROM 24 DERMATOLOGICAL DEPARTMENTS)

Through cooperation between the German Contact Dermatitis Research Gro up (DKG) and the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IV DK), results of standardized patch tests performed by the participatin g centres are centrally recorded in Germany. For this study, data from 24 departments of dermatology (19678 patients) were evaluated retrosp ectively and separately for 1995 and 1996. With decreasing frequency, nickel, fragrance mix, balsam of peru, and thimerosal yielded positive reactions most often; suprisingly high numbers of positive reactions were also seen with amerchol L-101 and palladium. Differentiated lists of allergens were compiled for 1995, referring to subgroups of patien ts (defined by gender, age, localization of eczema, geographical regio n, occupation, sensitization) and particular problems. In men, percent ages of positive reactions were markedly lower for nickel, fragrance m ix and balsam of peru than in women. Younger patients reacted more oft en to thimerosal and older ones to topical medical preparations. Medic al allergens were also often positive in patients with leg eczema,wher eas occupational allergens were found more frequently in patients with hand eczema. A comparison of positive reactions obtained in distinct geographical regions was problematic because of differences between te st populations. The spectrum of allergens found in officeworkers was s imilar to that of the whole test population. Patients with positive re actions to nickel and fragrance mix had more positive reactions to unr elated allergens than the total test population. Sex- and age-adjusted frequencies of sensitization revealed a decrease in reactions to nick el and an increase in reactions to mercury allergens from 1995 to 1996 . The clinical relevance of mercury reactions was often not apparent. Differentiated lists of allergens can be used to improve the quality o f diagnostic and prophylactic procedures in allergic contact dermatiti s.