title: Thoughts on how to improve the quality of multicentre patch test studies.
abstract: Multicentre patch test studies (MPTSs) can contribute useful information for diagnostic and preventive measures. The aim of the present paper is to propose how to perform high-quality MPTSs. To this end, factors of significance for the patch test result are discussed with regard to the standardization and calibration of high-quality MPTSs. The 16 factors discussed are scored 0, 1, 2, or 3, depending on the relative importance of a particular factor for the patch test result. The total score of an MPTS allows it to be ranked as having doubtful, acceptable, high or excellent quality. A total score of 30 is possible. Depending on the total score the MPTSs are grouped into those with a doubtful, acceptable, high, and excellent quality. In conclusion, high-quality MPTSs can be performed and are facilitated if a guideline and check list are followed when the study is being planned. The scoring enables the calculation of a total score, which can be used for quality ranking.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Dermatology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, S-205 02 Malmö, Sweden.
authors.forename: Magnus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bruze
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D002138:Calibration; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D010328:Patch Tests / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D058996:Quality Improvement; D012015:Reference Standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012107:Research Design
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens
keywords: allergic contact dermatitis; calibration; check list; contact allergy; guideline; monitoring; quality ranking; standardization