engleski

The prevalence of contact sensitization (CS)in an urban adult population over a three year period

The prevalence of CS to standard contact allergens was determined in three consecutive years (I, II, III) on random samples of an adult urban population of similar age distribution. Patch testing with European series of contact allergens (Epipharm Allergy Service, Linz, Austria) was performed in 76 subjects (25 men, 51 women) in period I, 182 (125 men, 57 women) in period II and 110 (47 men, 63 women) in period III. The prevalence of CS was analysed separately in men and women and results for the observed period were compared. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of CS to one or more contact allergens between period I: 16/76 (21.1%) and period II: 34/182 (18.7%). Sinificant increase in the prevalence of CS was found in period III: 36/110 (32.7%) compared to period II: 34/182 (18.7%) (p<0.01). The most frequent positive reactions were found for metal salts (Ni, Co, Cr): 10/16 (62.5%) in period I, 25/34 (73.5%) in period II and 26/36 (72.2%) in period III. Gender analysis showed a significant increase in the prevalence of CS in period III compared to period II only in men: 15/47 (31.9%) in period III, 18/125 (14.4%) in period II (p<0.01).

allergy; contact allergens; patch testing; general population; contact sensitization

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