title: [Contact sensitization to allergens in the Spanish standard series at Hospital Costa del Sol in Marbella, Spain: a retrospective study (2005-2010)].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of contact allergy to different compounds can vary according to the population studied, the technique used, and the materials employed in patch tests. The Spanish Contact Dermatitis and Skin Allergy Research Group (GEIDAC) has proposed a panel of 29 allergens for use in patients with suspected allergic contact dermatitis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of contact sensitization in a group of Spanish patients and to analyze potential associations with sociodemographic and clinical variables (sex, age, site of lesions, occupation, and diagnosis of atopic dermatitis).
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study of patients with suspected contact dermatitis was undertaken at Hospital Costa del Sol in Marbella, Spain, for the period between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2010; 839 patients were included in the analysis. Patch tests were carried out with 34 allergens, including the 29 compounds that comprise the Spanish standard panel proposed by the GEIDAC.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sensitization to at least 1 allergen in the panel was observed in 48% of patients. Women had a higher frequency of sensitization than men (56.9% vs 33.1%). The hands were the most commonly affected site (36.1%). The most frequently involved allergens were nickel sulfate (25.9%), potassium dichromate (7.6%), thiomersal (5.1%), cobalt chloride (4.5%), and fragrance mix I (3.8%). In contrast, preservatives such as paraben mix (0.1%), imidazolidinyl urea (0.1%), diazolidinyl urea (0.2%), and quinoline mix (0.2%) had low rates of sensitization. Sensitization to sesquiterpene lactones and methyldibromo glutaronitrile (euxyl K 400) were not observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results are similar to those previously reported for Spanish patients. The low level of sensitization to certain allergens such as most preservatives and sesquiterpene lactones may suggest that their use in standard patch test series should be reconsidered.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella, Málaga, España. miagbe@hotmail.com
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aguilar-Bernier
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Bernal-Ruiz
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rivas-Ruiz
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Fernández-Morano
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Troya-Martín
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000145:classification; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D002648:Child; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006786:Hospitals, Urban / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012015:Reference Standards; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens