Screening for acrylate/methacrylate allergy in the baseline series: our experience in Sweden and Singapore.
BACKGROUND
No studies to specifically determine the prevalence of contact allergy to acrylates/methacrylates in patch tested populations have been published.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of acrylate/methacrylate allergy in all patients tested to the baseline patch test series.


METHODS
Five acrylate/methacrylate allergens (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, triethylene glycol diacrylate, and 2-hydroxypropyl acrylate) were included in the baseline series for at least 2 years in Malmö and Singapore.


RESULTS
Thirty-eight patients in total had reacted to acrylate/methacrylate allergens in the baseline series during the study period in both populations. In Malmö, there were 26 (1.4%) patients with positive patch tests to acrylate/methacrylate allergens, 14 of whom had relevant reactions. In Singapore, there were 12 (1.0%) patients with positive patch tests to acrylate/methacrylate allergens, but only 1 had relevant reactions. If we had not added acrylate/methacrylate allergens to the baseline series, we would not have patch tested 13/26 (50%) of the positive reactors in Malmö and 11/12 (92%) of the positive reactors in Singapore. The overall proportion of missed positive reactors would have been 24/38 (63%).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of acrylate/methacrylate allergy in our patch tested dermatitis populations is 1.4% in Malmö and 1.0% in Singapore.
Goon
Anthony Teik-Jin
AT
National Skin Centre, 308205 Singapore, Singapore. anthonygoon@nsc.gov.sg
Bruze
Magnus
M
Zimerson
Erik
E
Goh
Chee-Leok
CL
Soo-Quee Koh
David
D
Isaksson
Marléne
M
D000179:Acrylates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000485:Allergens / Q000737:chemistry; D002648:Child; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests / Q000379:methods; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D000179:Acrylates; D000485:Allergens; D008689:Methacrylates; C036658:acrylic acid