ESSCA results with the baseline series, 2009-2012: rubber allergens.
BACKGROUND
Allergic contact dermatitis caused by rubber allergens is common, and causes significant patient morbidity. Contemporary data are important to allow appropriate preventive measures and identification of contact allergy trends.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the pattern of patch test reactivity to rubber allergens, including those in the European baseline series.


METHODS
Data collected by the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA) network between 2009 and 2012 from 12 European countries were analysed.


RESULTS
Contact allergy to thiuram mix declined over the studied time period, with an overall prevalence of 1.87%. The prevalence of allergy to carba mix was 2.29%, and was significantly increasing. Prevalence rates of sensitization to other rubber allergens were largely unchanged. Statistical analysis with the MOAHLFA index confirmed the strong links between rubber allergy and occupational hand dermatitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Changing patterns of allergy to rubber additives have been identified. Inclusion of carba mix in the European baseline series may be appropriate.
Department of Dermatology, The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds LS7 4SA, UK.
Katharine L
KL
Warburton
Department of Dermatology, University Allergy Centre, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Dresden D-01307, Germany.
Andrea
A
Bauer
Welsh Institute of Dermatology, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK.
Mahbub M U
MM
Chowdhury
Department of Dermatology, Churchill Hospital, Oxford OX3 7LJ, UK.
Susan
S
Cooper
Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz 91-348, Poland.
Beata
B
Kręcisz
Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz 91-348, Poland.
Dorota
D
Chomiczewska-Skóra
Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz 91-348, Poland.
Marta
M
Kieć-Świerczyńska
Department of Public Health, Occupational Medicine, University of Trieste, IT-34129 Trieste, Italy.
Francesca L
FL
Filon
Allergy Unit, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
Vera
V
Mahler
Department of Dermatology, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, 28006 Madrid, Spain.
Javier
J
Sánchez-Pérez
Information Network of Departments of Dermatology, University Medicine Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.
Axel
A
Schnuch
Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University of Erlangen/Nurnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
Wolfgang
W
Uter
Department of Dermatology, The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds LS7 4SA, UK.
Mark
M
Wilkinson
D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D004050:Ditiocarb / Q000009:adverse effects; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006146:Guanidines / Q000009:adverse effects; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D010328:Patch Tests; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012408:Rubber / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013893:Thiram / Q000009:adverse effects
D000485:Allergens; D006146:Guanidines; D013893:Thiram; C057051:carbamix; D012408:Rubber; D004050:Ditiocarb
N-isopropyl-N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine; contact allergy; dithiocarbamates; mercaptobenzothiazoles; occupational contact allergy; rubber; surveillance; thiurams