title: Patch test results with fragrance markers of the baseline series - analysis of the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA) network 2009-2012.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Contact allergy to fragrances is common, and impairs quality of life, particularly in young women.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To provide current results on the prevalences of sensitization to fragrance allergens used as markers in the baseline series of most European countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data of patients consecutively patch tested between 2009 and 2012 in 12 European countries with fragrance allergens contained in the baseline series were collected by the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies network and descriptively analysed. Four departments used the TRUE Test(®) system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 'basic markers' were tested on 51 477 [fragrance mix II (FM II)] to 57 123 [Myroxylon pereirae, balsam of Peru] patients, and yielded positive reactions as follows: fragrance mix I 6.9%, Myroxylon pereirae 5.4%, FM II 3.8%, colophonium 2.6%, and hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde 1.7%, with some regional differences. Prevalences with TRUE Test(®) allergens were lower. Additional fragrances were tested on 3643 (trimethylbenzenepropanol) to 14 071 (oil of turpentine) patients, and yielded between 2.6% (Cananga odorata) and 0.7% (trimethylbenzenepropanol) positive reactions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Contact allergy to fragrances is common throughout Europe, with regional variation probably being explained by patch test technique, and differences in exposure and referral patterns. The current basic markers of fragrance sensitivity in the baseline series should be supplemented with additional fragrance allergens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Witten/Herdecke, 58448, Witten, Germany.|Department of Dermatology, Klinikum Dortmund, 44137, Dortmund, Germany.
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Frosch
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermato-Allergology, National Allergy Research Centre, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, 2900, Hellerup, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jeanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Duus Johansen
authors.affiliation: Dermatology, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marie-Louise A
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Schuttelaar
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, 03010, Alicante, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Silvestre
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hospital Universitario la Princesa, 28006, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Pérez
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Social Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Elke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Weisshaar
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4498-3710
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Uter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010328:Patch Tests / Q000379:methods*; D010476:Perfume / Q000009:adverse effects; D010577:Petrolatum; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D010476:Perfume; D010577:Petrolatum
keywords: contact allergy; contact sensitization; fragrances; patch testing; regional differences