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  • Title: European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA): polysensitization, 2009-2014.
    Author: Dittmar D, Uter W, Bauer A, Fortina AB, Bircher AJ, Czarnecka-Operacz M, Dugonik A, Elsner P, Gallo R, Ghaffar SA, Giménez-Arnau A, Johnston GA, Kręcisz B, Filon FL, Rustemeyer T, Sadowska-Przytocka A, Sánchez-Pérez J, Schnuch A, Simon D, Spiewak R, Spring P, Corradin MT, Valiukevičienė S, Vok M, Weisshaar E, Wilkinson M, Schuttelaar ML, ESSCA Network.
    Journal: Contact Dermatitis; 2018 Jun; 78(6):373-385. PubMed ID: 29468728.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Polysensitization, defined as being allergic to three or more haptens from the European baseline series, is considered to reflect increased susceptibility to developing a contact allergy, and is likely to be associated with an impaired quality of life. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalences of polysensitization across Europe and to analyse factors associated with polysensitization. METHODS: Patch test data collected by the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA; www.essca-dc.org) in consecutively patch tested patients from January 2009 to December 2014, comprising 11 countries and 57 departments, were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: A total of 86 416 patients were available for analysis, showing a standardized prevalence of polysensitization of 7.02%, ranging from 12.7% (Austria) to 4.6% (Italy). Allergen pairs with the strongest association are reported for the total population, for South Europe, and for North/Central Europe. Overall, polysensitized patients showed a higher percentage of extreme (+++) positive patch test reactions than oligosensitized patients. Female sex, occupational dermatitis and age > 40 years were risk factors for polysensitization. CONCLUSIONS: The varying prevalences of polysensitization across Europe most likely reflect differences in patient characteristics and referral patterns between departments. Known risk factors for polysensitization are confirmed in a European dermatitis population.
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