title: Validation of self-testing as a method to estimate the prevalence of nickel allergy.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the validity of self-patch testing for nickel allergy, in order to determine a cost-effective method for surveillance of the prevalence of nickel allergy. Population-based study including patch testing is the most reliable method to study the prevalence of allergy, but it is expensive and has logistical problems. A total of 191 dermatology patients referred to patch testing were provided with a self-test package with written instructions. The self-test was applied on the arm by the patient, on the same day that the regular patch test was applied on the back. The patient evaluated the self-test before patch test reading at the clinic. Patch test at the dermatology clinic detected 46/191 (24%) nickel-positive individuals. The sensitivity of the self-test was 72% (95% confidence interval (CI) 57-84), the specificity 91% (95% CI 85-95), and the proportion of agreement 86% (95% CI 81-91). Thus, in the population studied, the validity of self-testing for nickel allergy was adequate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Örebro University Hospital, School of Health and Medicine, Örebro University, Sweden. anna.josefson@orebroll.se
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Josefson
authors.forename: Ake
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Svensson
authors.forename: Gunilla
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Färm
authors.forename: Malin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Engfeldt
authors.forename: Birgitta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meding
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000485:Allergens; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009532:Nickel / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010328:Patch Tests; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012648:Self Care; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D009532:Nickel