title: Diaminodiphenylmethane Sensitization in north-eastern Italy from 1996 to 2012.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  4,4'-Diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM) is an aromatic amine used as a hardener, insulator and anticorrosive. Exposure implies risk of being sensitized and developing contact dermatitis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of contact sensitization to DDM among patients with contact dermatitis and the role of occupational exposure.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 1996 to 2012, 24 056 consecutive patients with suspected allergic contact dermatitis were patch tested in north-eastern Italy. Individual characteristics were collected through a standardized questionnaire in eight departments of dermatology and occupational medicine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall prevalence of DDM sensitization was 2.5% (n = 599) with a decreasing trend in considered years. Trieste area had the higher prevalence of sensitization (3.2%). Mechanics and chemical industry workers had a significant higher risk of being sensitized to DDM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DDM sensitization is decreasing in years and is associated with some occupational exposures.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Unit of Occupational Medicine, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zuliani
authors.affiliation: Clinical Unit of Occupational Medicine, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prodi
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Fortina
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Unit, S. Maria degli Angeli Hospital, Pordenone, Italy.
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Corradin
authors.affiliation: Clinical Unit of Occupational Medicine, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bovenzi
authors.affiliation: Clinical Unit of Occupational Medicine, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: F Larese
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Filon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000814:Aniline Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010328:Patch Tests; D055815:Young Adult; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds
chemical_list: D000814:Aniline Compounds; C009505:4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds