Association between positive patch tests to epoxy resin and fragrance mix I ingredients.
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.
Andersen
Klaus Ejner
KE
Department of Dermatology, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. keandersen@health.sdu.dk
Christensen
Lars Porskjaer
LP
Vølund
Aage
A
Johansen
Jeanne Duus
JD
Paulsen
Evy
E
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
D000485:Allergens; D004853:Epoxy Resins; D010476:Perfume