European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA): polysensitization, 2009-2014

Dittmar D, Uter W, Bauer A, Fortina AB, Bircher AJ, Czarnecka-Operacz M, Dugonik A, Elsner P, Gallo R, Ghaffar SA, Gimenez-Arnau A, Johnston GA, Krecisz B, Filon FL, Rustemeyer T, Sadowska-Przytocka A, Sanchez-Perez J, Schnuch A, Simon D, Spiewak R, Spring P, Corradin MT, Valiukeviciene S, Vok M, Weisshaar E, Wilkinson M, Schuttelaar ML (2018)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2018

Journal

Book Volume: 78

Pages Range: 373-385

Journal Issue: 6

DOI: 10.1111/cod.12966

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Polysensitization, defined as being allergic to three or more haptens from the European baseline series, is considered to reflect increased susceptibility to developing a contact allergy, and is likely to be associated with an impaired quality of life. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalences of polysensitization across Europe and to analyse factors associated with polysensitization. METHODS: Patch test data collected by the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA; www.essca-dc.org) in consecutively patch tested patients from January 2009 to December 2014, comprising 11 countries and 57 departments, were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: A total of 86 416 patients were available for analysis, showing a standardized prevalence of polysensitization of 7.02%, ranging from 12.7% (Austria) to 4.6% (Italy). Allergen pairs with the strongest association are reported for the total population, for South Europe, and for North/Central Europe. Overall, polysensitized patients showed a higher percentage of extreme (+++) positive patch test reactions than oligosensitized patients. Female sex, occupational dermatitis and age > 40 years were risk factors for polysensitization. CONCLUSIONS: The varying prevalences of polysensitization across Europe most likely reflect differences in patient characteristics and referral patterns between departments. Known risk factors for polysensitization are confirmed in a European dermatitis population.

Authors with CRIS profile

Involved external institutions

Universitätsklinikum Jena Germany (DE) University of Genova / Università degli Studi di Genova Italy (IT) Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) / University Amsterdam Netherlands (NL) Georg-August-Universität Göttingen Germany (DE) Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) Spain (ES) Universität Bern Switzerland (CH) Università degli Studi di Trieste Italy (IT) Hospital "Santa Maria degli Angeli" Italy (IT) Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust United Kingdom (GB) University of Groningen / Rijksuniversiteit Groningen Netherlands (NL) Jagiellonian University / Uniwersytet Jagielloński (UJ) Poland (PL) Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg Germany (DE) University of Leicester United Kingdom (GB) Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce / Uniwersytet Jana Kochanowskiego w Kielcach Poland (PL) Poznan University of Medical Sciences / Uniwersytet Medyczny im. Karola Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu Poland (PL) Lausanne University Hospital / Centre hospitalier universitaire vaudois (CHUV) Switzerland (CH) Lithuanian University of Health Sciences / Lietuvos sveikatos mokslų universitetas (LSMU) Lithuania (LT) Hospital Universitario De La Princesa Spain (ES) Universitätsspital Basel Switzerland (CH) University of Dundee United Kingdom (GB) University of Padua / Universita degli Studi di Padova Italy (IT) Technische Universität Dresden Germany (DE) Maribor University Medical Centre (Maribor UMC) / Univerzitetni klinični center Maribor Slovenia (SI)

How to cite

APA:

Dittmar, D., Uter, W., Bauer, A., Fortina, A.B., Bircher, A.J., Czarnecka-Operacz, M.,... Schuttelaar, M.L. (2018). European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA): polysensitization, 2009-2014. Contact Dermatitis, 78(6), 373-385. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/cod.12966

MLA:

Dittmar, Daan, et al. "European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA): polysensitization, 2009-2014." Contact Dermatitis 78.6 (2018): 373-385.

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