Persistence of contact allergy among Danish adults: an 8-year follow-up study.
In 1990, a random sample of 567 persons of the 15-69-year-old population living in the Western part of Copenhagen County, Denmark, was patch tested in a cross-sectional study. In 1998, a follow-up study was performed. Out of 540 invited, 365 (68%) were re-patch tested. In the follow-up study, the persistence of allergic contact sensitivity, defined as 1 or more positive patch tests in both surveys, was 71% (37 out of 52 subjects). Nickel allergy persisted in 79% (19 out of 24 subjects), while 60% (21 out of 35 subjects) had a positive patch test reaction to 1 or more allergens, other than nickel, in both surveys. The lowest persistence was 50% (5 out of 10 subjects) and this was found for patch test reactivity to 1 or more of the cosmetic ingredients included in the patch test series. 8 years after the baseline study had demonstrated allergic contact sensitivity, 71% of the subjects still had at least 1 positive patch test. Nickel allergy persisted in 79%. Allergen avoidance should probably be lifelong to prevent elicitation of contact dermatitis.
Nielsen
N H
NH
Department of Dermatology, Gentofte Hospital, DK-2900 Hellerup, Denmark.
Linneberg
A
A
Menné
T
T
Madsen
F
F
Frølund
L
L
Dirksen
A
A
Jørgensen
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009532:Nickel / Q000009:adverse effects; D010328:Patch Tests
D000485:Allergens; D009532:Nickel