title: Current trends in patch testing - new data from the German Contact Dermatitis Research Group (DKG) and the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The relevance of contact allergens is subject to constant change due to changing exposures according to consumers' preferences and legal requirements. The objective of this paper is to present trends in contact sensitization from the DKG and IVDK patch test clinics, which have led to changes in the DKG standard series (as of 1.1.2014), as well as the current legal framework which has influenced these trends and the way patch testing is performed.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patients from 56 DKG and IVDK patch test clinics from 2010 (n = 13,117), 2011 (n = 13,320) and 2012 (n = 12,529) were analyzed with regard to frequencies of sensitization (hit list) to contact allergens as well as the location of allergic contact dermatitis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With a sensitization rate of 15 % nickel is still the most frequently recognized contact allergen. An increase can be observed for fragrance mix I (9.1 %), the preservative composition of methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI) (4.5 %) and methylisothiazolinone (MI) alone (6.8 %). A decline is present for potassium dichromate from above 6 % (2007) to 3 % (2012) and for bufexamac (currently at 0.6 %). Backgrounds, legal requirements and resulting changes to the DKG standard series are illustrated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The indicated trends demonstrate the relevance of clinical epidemiology and the "sentinel function" of DKG and IVDK with regard to public health and prevention of contact allergies.
authors: Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Erlangen, Germany.
authors: Vera
authors: V
authors: Mahler
authors: Johannes
authors: J
authors: Geier
authors: Axel
authors: A
authors: Schnuch
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D003880:Dermatology / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens