title: The European standard series in 9 European countries, 2002/2003 -- first results of the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies.
abstract: Since January 2001, the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA), supported by European Union funding (contract QLK4-CT-2001-00343), has started to collect patch-test data. This comprises a standardized clinical history and the patch-test results using the European standard series, from 17 centres in 9 European countries listed above. In 2002 and 2003, 10 511 patients' test results have been pooled and analysed. The anamnestic data partly reflect the subspecialties of some centres. The most common allergen was nickel sulfate (17.3%); however, large international variations were observed. The prevalence of contact allergy to Myroxylon pereirae resin (balsam of Peru) (5.8%) is coming close to the frequency found with the fragrance mix (6.4%). Regarding contact allergy to chromium compounds, different frequencies were noted in the 2 centres focused on occupational dermatitis (2.3% in the FIOH versus 7.4% in the Nofer Institute). These most likely reflect the beneficial effect of addition of ferrous sulfate in one, but not the other country. As differences may partly be due to different patch-test reading, standardization may need to be refined further. By providing post-marketing surveillance in the field of contact allergy, ESSCA will meet its objective of increased consumer safety across Europe.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry & Epidemiology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany. wolfgang.uter@rzmail.uni-erlangen.de
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Uter
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hegewald
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Aberer
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ayala
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Bircher
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brasch
authors.forename: P-J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Coenraads
authors.forename: M-L A
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Schuttelaar
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Elsner
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fartasch
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mahler
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Belloni Fortina
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Frosch
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fuchs
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Johansen
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Menné
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jolanki
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Krêcisz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kiec-Swierczynska
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Larese
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Orton
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peserico
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rantanen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schnuch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D008297:Male; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010328:Patch Tests / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011159:Population Surveillance
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens