title: CARPE: a registry project of the German Dermatological Society (DDG) for the characterization and care of chronic hand eczema.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the CARPE (German acronym: Chronisches Handekzem-Register zum Patienten-Langzeitmanagement; meaning: chronic hand eczema registry on long-term patient management) registry is to investigate characteristics and treatment modalities in patients affected by chronic hand eczema in Germany.
  
  
  METHODS
  The registry was built up under the auspices of the German Dermatological Society (Deutsche Dermatologische Gesellschaft, DDG). Patients with chronic hand eczema are prospectively assessed by dermatological examination and patient questionnaire. Socio-economic data and data on diagnostics, skin status, severity and treatment of chronic hand eczema and atopy criteria are repeatedly assessed. Here, we present baseline characteristics of the first 515 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  53.8 % of the patients were female, mean age was 47.3 years. The average duration of CHE was 7.7 years. 30.4 % had already received inpatient care, 31.2 % had been on sick leave in the past 12 months. 94.5 % had received topical corticosteroids prior to inclusion in the registry, 31.9 % topical calcineurin inhibitors, 38.3 % UV therapy, 28.6 % systemic antihistamines, 36.5 % systemic treatments, 14.9 % systemic corticosteroids, 25.8 % systemic retinoids.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The CARPE project demonstrates the high medical burden and therapeutic challenge of chronic hand eczema and presents first data for health care research. Furthermore, the designed follow-up study will present important data about the natural history and prognosis of this chronic skin disease.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Social Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian Joachim
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Apfelbacher
authors.forename: Wilhelm
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Akst
authors.forename: Sonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Molin
authors.forename: Jochen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schmitt
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: Elke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Weisshaar
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mahler
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Treichel
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ruzicka
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Luger
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Elsner
authors.forename: Thomas Ludwig
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Diepgen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D003880:Dermatology; D004485:Eczema / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D012955:Societies, Medical; D055815:Young Adult