title: Epidemiology of contact allergy in Singapore.
abstract: The prevalence of contact allergy in 2471 patients patch tested in Singapore was 49.2% (571/1160) in women and 49.8% (653/1311) in men (sex difference not significant). The rate appeared to increase with age (43.7% in those less than 20 years, 50.6% between 20 and 49 years, and 63.1% in those greater than 49 years). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of contact allergy among the major races (Chinese, Malay, and Indian) of Singapore. Contact allergies in 16.8% (96/571) of women and 38.9% (254/653) of men (p less than 0.001) were occupational. Nickel, fragrance mix, proflavine, and chromate were common sensitizers. The male:female prevalence of nickel allergy was 1:2 (sex difference p less than 0.001) and for chromate was 7:1 (sex difference p less than 0.001). Chromate sensitivity was occupational in 87.7% (121/138) of men and 47.1% (8/17) of women (sex difference p less than 0.001). Proflavine, neomycin, and clioquinol were the more common medicament sensitizers.
authors.affiliation: Middle Road Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Goh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002840:Chromates / Q000276:immunology; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000276:immunology; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009532:Nickel / Q000276:immunology; D010328:Patch Tests; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000276:immunology; D012737:Sex Factors; D012846:Singapore
chemical_list: D002840:Chromates; D003358:Cosmetics; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D009532:Nickel