Allergic contact sensitization in an adult Danish population: two cross-sectional surveys eight years apart (the Copenhagen Allergy Study).
In 1990 and 1998 15-41-year-old people were patch-tested in 2 cross-sectional studies of random samples of the population in the western part of Copenhagen County, Denmark. In 1990, 290 subjects and in 1998, 469 subjects were patch-tested. The participation rates were 69% and 51%, respectively. Contact sensitivity to one or more haptens was found in 15.9% and 18.6% in 1990 and 1998, respectively. Nickel sensitivity is still the most common contact sensitivity. The risk of contact sensitivity to the cosmetic-related haptens included in the series (formaldehyde was not included) increased significantly from 2.4% in 1990 to 5.8% in 1998 (odds ratio 2.44, 95% confidence interval 1.04-5.73). The prevalence of contact sensitivity to cosmetic-related allergens has been doubled between 1990 and 1998.
Nielsen
N H
NH
Department of Dermatology, Gentofte Hospital, Hellerup, Denmark.
Linneberg
A
A
Menné
T
T
Madsen
F
F
Frølund
L
L
Dirksen
A
A
Jørgensen
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000485:Allergens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006241:Haptens; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010328:Patch Tests / Q000379:methods*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013997:Time Factors
D000485:Allergens; D006241:Haptens