The prevalence of contact allergy differed between population-based and clinic-based data

Uter, Wolfgang; Ludwig, Alika; Balda, Bernd-Rüdiger; Schnuch, Axel; Pfahlberg, Annette; Schäfer, Torsten; Wichmann, H.-Erich; Ring, Johannes

doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2003.04.002

« Previous Next »Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
Volume 57, Issue 6 , Pages 627-632, June 2004

The prevalence of contact allergy differed between population-based and clinic-based data

Wolfgang Uter
- Information Network of Departments of Dermatology, University of Göttingen, von-Siebold-Str. 3, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Waldstrasse 6, D-91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +49-9131-8522750; fax: +49-131-8522721.
Alika Ludwig
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Klinikum Augsburg, Stenglinstr. 2, D-86156 Augsburg, Germany
Bernd-Rüdiger Balda
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Klinikum Augsburg, Stenglinstr. 2, D-86156 Augsburg, Germany
Axel Schnuch
- Information Network of Departments of Dermatology, University of Göttingen, von-Siebold-Str. 3, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany
Annette Pfahlberg
- Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Waldstrasse 6, D-91054, Erlangen, Germany
Torsten Schäfer
- Department of Social Medicine, University of Lübeck, Beckergrube 43-47, D-23552 Lübeck, Germany
H.-Erich Wichmann
- Institute of Epidemiology, GSF Neuherberg, Ingolstädter Landstrabe 1, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany
Johannes Ring
- Division Environmental Dermatology and Allergology GSF/TUM, Department of Dermatology and Allergy Biederstein, Technical University of München, Biedersteiner Str. 29, D-80802 München, Germany

Accepted 24 April 2003.

Abstract

Objective

Epidemiologic evidence on contact allergy (CA) largely relies on clinical studies. However, the effects of the selection process until consultation as patient are largely unclear.

Study design and setting

Prevalences of contact allergy to important allergens estimated from the population-based nested case–control study “KORA Allergy Study” in Augsburg, Germany (a subsample from the third MONICA survey in 1997/1998, n=1141), were compared with proportions found in the Department of Dermatology of the Augsburg Municipal Hospital in patients of similar age patch tested between 1997 and 2000 (n=555). Prevalences were standardized for sex, age, and atopic dermatitis as potential confounders.

Results

Among the 25 substances tested, the fragrance mix (MONICA, estimated from the KORA Allergy Study: 11.4%, hospital: 12.9%) and nickel (MONICA: 9.9%, hospital: 12.9%) were the most common allergens. Larger differences between prevalences were noted particularly with ingredients of topicals used to treat varicose ulcers—a speciality of the Augsburg department, which is also reflected by comparing the department with the whole Information Network of (n =40) Departments of Dermatology (IVDK).