title: [Epidemiology of contact dermatitis in Spain. Results of the Spanish Surveillance System on Contact Allergies for the year 2008].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The epidemiology of contact dermatitis can be analyzed using clinical data from skin allergy units.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study were to define the profile of patients attending a skin allergy unit and to determine the prevalence of the most common sensitizations in this population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Throughout 2008, a retrospective observational study was carried out in the 5 hospitals of the Spanish Surveillance System on Contact Allergies. All patients underwent skin patch tests with the Spanish standard series. The frequencies of sensitization were normalized for age and gender.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data were gathered on 1161 patients. The 5 allergens that gave the most frequent positive reactions were nickel sulfate (25.88%), potassium dichromate (5.31%), cobalt chloride (5.10%), fragrance blends (4.64%), and balsam of Peru (4.44%). The least frequently detected reactions were to quinolone-clioquinol mix and sesquiterpene lactone mix. There was a 35% prevalence of sensitization to nickel among women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The profile of sensitizations in Spain is similar to that of other Southern European countries. Nickel sulfate continues to be the most prevalent allergen, particularly in women. The low prevalence of sensitization to quinolone-clioquinol mix and sesquiterpene lactone mix supports their exclusion of the Spanish series.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Dermatología, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario, Facultad de Medicina, Santiago de Compostela, La Coruña, Spain. juangavin@gmail.com
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: García-Gavín
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Armario-Hita
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fernández-Redondo
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Fernández-Vozmediano
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Pérez
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Silvestre
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Uter
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Giménez-Arnau
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult