Decreasing trends in methyldibromo glutaronitrile contact allergy--following regulatory intervention.
BACKGROUND
The preservative methyldibromo glutaronitrile (MDBGN) has been banned, first from stay-on, and later from rinse-off cosmetics, in the EU countries because of increasing rates of contact allergy.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the frequency of contact allergy to MDBGN among patients patch tested by the Danish Contact Dermatitis Group just before and following regulatory decisions.


METHODS
The data set comprised 19 279 consecutive eczema patients patch tested from 2003-2007 with MDBGN 0.3% in petrolatum (pet.) or, in a minority of patients, with Euxyl K 400 1.5% in pet.


RESULTS
A significantly decreasing trend in the frequency of positive patch tests to MDBGN was found from 4.6% in 2003 to 2.6% in 2007 (P < 0.001). The decreasing trend was seen for both men and women. A significantly decreasing proportion of cases with a current relevance of contact allergy to MDBGN was also seen from 51.3% in 2003 to 29% in 2007 (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Regulatory interventions have already had a major effect on allergic disease due to MDBGN in Denmark. The same trends are likely to be seen in other EU countries.
Johansen
Jeanne D
JD
National Allergy Research Centre, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark. jedu@geh.regionh.dk
Veien
Niels
N
Laurberg
Grete
G
Avnstorp
Christian
C
Kaaber
Knud
K
Andersen
Klaus E
KE
Paulsen
Evy
E
Sommerlund
Mette
M
Thormann
Jens
J
Nielsen
Niels H
NH
Vissing
Susanne
S
Kristensen
Ove
O
Kristensen
Berit
B
Agner
Tove
T
Menné
Torkil
T
D000328:Adult; D003257:Consumer Product Safety / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005062:European Union; D005260:Female; D033161:Government Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009570:Nitriles / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010328:Patch Tests; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015995:Prevalence
D003358:Cosmetics; D009570:Nitriles; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; C039411:1,2-dibromo-2,4-dicyanobutane