title: Association between positive patch tests to epoxy resin and fragrance mix I ingredients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Both epoxy resin (diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A) and fragrance mix I are included in the European baseline series of contact allergens. A significant association between positive reactions to epoxy resin and fragrance mix has been reported by others.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate and possibly reproduce this association with the use of TRUE((R)) test data and supplementary tests with fragrance mix ingredients from the Department of Dermatology, Odense University Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six thousand one hundred and fifteen consecutive eczema patients tested from 1995 to 2007 were included, and test results from all patients tested with fragrance mix ingredients were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and forty-five (2.4%) were positive to epoxy resin and 282 (4.6%) were positive to fragrance mix I. Nineteen were positive to both giving an odds ratio of 3.3, which is significant (95% CI 2.0-5.4). Analysis of association to individual fragrance mix ingredients showed a significant association to alpha-amyl cinnamal and isoeugenol.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The significant association between positive reactions to epoxy resin and fragrance mix I was reproduced. However, the clinical implications are not clarified, and even though the association may be coincidental, the fact that it can be reproduced with a different patch test system and in a different population speaks against a random result. Further studies may help to interpret the association.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. keandersen@health.sdu.dk
authors.forename: Klaus Ejner
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Lars Porskjaer
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: Aage
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vølund
authors.forename: Jeanne Duus
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Johansen
authors.forename: Evy
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Paulsen
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D004853:Epoxy Resins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration; D010328:Patch Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010476:Perfume / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012107:Research Design; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D004853:Epoxy Resins; D010476:Perfume