title: Risk factors associated with methylisothiazolinone contact sensitization.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The preservative methylisothiazolinone (MI) has become an important allergen, with a dramatic increase in sensitization prevalence being seen over the last few years.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine risk factors associated with MI sensitization, in order to identify targets of prevention aimed at curtailing the present epidemic.
  
  
  METHODS
  On the basis of contact allergy surveillance data collected by the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (www.ivkd.org), 2009-2012, in the course of 28,922 patch tests with MI, 500 ppm in water, included in a series of cosmetic preservatives, logistic regression analysis was employed to quantify the risk associated with a number of putative risk factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of MI sensitization increased from 1.94% in 2009 to 6.02% in 2012, the increase being mainly driven by female patients aged≥ 40 years, patients with face dermatitis, and the use of cosmetics. Adjusted multifactorial analysis additionally identified several occupations (e.g. painters and beauticians) and ano-genital dermatitis as risk factors for MI sensitization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present use concentrations of MI, both cosmetic and industrial, are too high; (self-)regulatory action is urgently needed. MI should be added to the baseline series.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University of Erlangen/Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Uter
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Geier
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schnuch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000009:adverse effects; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000453:epidemiology; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010150:Paint / Q000633:toxicity; D010328:Patch Tests; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D003358:Cosmetics; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; D013844:Thiazoles; C011506:2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one
keywords: CAS 2682-20-4; clinical epidemiology; contact allergy; methylisothiazolinone