title: [Standard epicutaneous tests in ambulatory care of patients at the dermatovenereology clinic].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Allergic diseases have a rising trend worldwide. Allergic contact eczema is the most frequent occupational disease. The spectrum of allergens is influenced by a number of factors. The basic method for detection of contact allergy and detection of the allergen are epicutaneous tests. The objective of the work was to evaluate the results of these tests in patients with contact dermatitis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 437 patients were tested (163 men, 274 women). For testing an extended standard set of medicamentous and non-medicamentous allergens was used. In women more often positive reactions were obtained (39.5%) than men (27.5%). The mean age of women was 40 years, that of men 47 years. Both groups responded on average to 1.6 and 1.7 allergens resp. The most frequent allergen in women was nickel (17.9%) in men chromium (12.9%). Other frequent allergens in women included chromium (11.3%), Peru balsam (3.6%), HgCl2 and cobalt. In men it was nickel, cobalt (6.1%) and HgCl2. There were also concurrent allergies. (The results are not statistically significant). In youngest age group the number of women was more than sevenfold: the most frequent allergen in this group was nickel. In the group of patients above 60 years of age women also predominated (2.5x): most frequently allergy to chromium was found (9.1%). The allergic reaction to camomile and tar was significantly higher.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The most frequent allergen in standard epicutaneous tests in women is nickel, in men chromium. Other frequent allergens are cobalt, mercury and Perubalsam. Women have a higher ratio of positive reactions, in the group under 30 years women predominate 7x, in the whole group 2.4x.
authors.affiliation: Dermatovenerologická klinika 3. LF UK a FNKV, Praha.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Silhán
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Arenberger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens