762 research outputs found
The application of methods to quantify attributable risk in medical practice
No full textSeveral epidemiological parameters have been introduced for quantifying the population impact of a certain exposure on morbidity on a population level, termed ‘attributable risk’ (AR). Of these definitions, the AR as suggested by Levin in 1953 or some algebraic transformations of it are most commonly used. A structured literature search, based on the Medline database, identified 334 original epidemiological studies dealing with this AR published between 1966 and 1996 (mostly case-control studies). A considerable increase in the number of published studies incorporating some quantification of the exposure impact on the population level in terms of the AR was observed in the last decade. However, in 64.5% of these studies no exact definition of the AR used was given. Adjustment procedures necessary in multifactorial situations were performed by only 37.5%, confidence intervals for the AR were given by only 19.3% of authors. Thus, although the increasing popularity of this important epidemiological measure is encouraging, its correct application and comprehensive reporting in medical practice should be promoted further
The spectrum of contact allergy in elderly patients with and without lower leg dermatitis
No full textUter W, Geier J, Pfahlberg A, Effendy I. The spectrum of contact allergy in elderly patients with and without lower leg dermatitis. Dermatology. 2002;204(4):266-272.Background. There is a strong influence of lower leg dermatitis on the spectrum of allergic contact sensitivity in elderly patients. Objective: To quantitatively assess the impact of this factor which confounds the age-related pattern of allergic contact sensitivity. Methods: Stratified analysis of allergic contact sensitivity data collected between 1996 and 1999 in the 32 centres of the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (three age groups: less than or equal to 60, 61-75, greater than or equal to 76 years), both as crude and as directly standardised (for sex and leg dermatitis) proportions. Results: Among the 36,070 patients tested with the German standard series, allergic contact sensitivity to neomycin, lanolin, cetostearylic alcohols, colophony, fragrance mix and balsam of Peru, among others, was (much) more common in the elderly, with proportions more or less affected by standardisation. Conclusion: The comparison of crude and standardised proportions provides evidence that allergic contact sensitivity to several allergens strongly depends not only on age itself, but on age-related and thus confounding co-morbidity. Copyright (C) 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel
Dermatiti da contatto e sensibilizzazioni allergiche in agricoltori: risultati del data base europeo
No full text
Contact allergy to topical antifungal agents
No full textde Padua CAM, Uter W, Geier J, Schnuch A, Effendy I. Contact allergy to topical antifungal agents. Allergy. 2008;63(7):946-947
Trends and current spectrum of contact allergy in Central Europe: results of the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK) 2007–2018
No full textBackground
Changing patterns of exposure lead to changes in the spectrum of contact allergy in the general population and in patients patch tested for suspected contact allergy. The main contact allergens (haptens) are assembled in the so‐called ‘baseline series’.
Objectives
To present the current spectrum of contact allergy to baseline series allergens, and its temporal development over the last 12 years, based on data collected by the 56 active departments of the trinational Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK).
Methods
Patch‐test data, along with core demographic and clinical information, subdivided into 4‐year periods for all patients patch tested with the baseline series in the IVDK, were analysed descriptively. Moreover, log‐binomial regression analysis addressed temporal trends of specific contact allergies, adjusted for potentially confounding factors.
Results
Among the 125 436 patients tested with the German baseline series, the most common allergens were nickel (14·7%), fragrance mix I (8·1%), Myroxylon pereirae resin (7·5%) and cobalt (5·2%), with no conclusive trend. The rise and fall of contact allergy to methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (MI), following (self‐) regulation in the European Union, reflected the MI contact allergy epidemic. Propolis showed a marked upward trend with a prevalence of 3·94% during the period 2015–2018.
Conclusions
Decreases in sensitization prevalence likely reflect reduced exposure, with some lag, as seen with hydroxyisohexyl 3‐cyclohexene carboxaldehyde. If no (sufficient) decrease can be observed despite interventions, such as for nickel and chromium, affected subgroups should be identified and their causative exposures explored. Finally, increases such as that observed with propolis, certainly warrant targeted investigation of the exposures driving sensitization, and possibly intervention
The Glorious Life of Mingo – William Battenby – In Service to Life
No full textAuthor Elizabeth Uter reads her short story about Mingo, a young Black man whom Samuel Pepys encountered in the 1660s. In 1667 Sir William Batten died and left Mingo the rights to staff the navigation lights at Harwich port. This story imagines what happened next...
You can read this work, along with other poetry and prose inspired by Pepys's journal, in the collection Other Lives in Samuel Pepys's Diary, edited by Kate Loveman (https://doi.org/10.25392/leicester.data.20449623)
The collection was produced as part of the ‘Reimagining the Restoration’ project, which is funded by the AHRC.</p
Polysensitization and increased susceptibility in contact allergy: a review
No full textGenetic factors presumably play a role in contact allergy (CA). There is, however, a lack of conclusive evidence from clinical studies. This may be on account of the strongly competing or modifying impact of exogenous factors, namely the potency of allergens and the intensity of exposure, and the fact that - in principle - everybody can be sensitized. Regarding phenotype, in contrast, polysensitization (PS) seems to indicate a subset of individuals at greater risk. In human sensitization experiments with dinitrochlorobenzene, induction was facilitated in PS, and elicitation enhanced. Recent clinical epidemiological data, taking confounders for PS, such as age, sex, and other skin diseases into account, demonstrated the following: (i) PS was the greatest risk factor to be sensitized to a number of (even weak) index allergens, indicating higher susceptibility on the level of induction; (ii) patch test reactions in PS patients were generally stronger indicating higher susceptibility on the level of elicitation. These findings are complemented by reports on polymorphisms of TNF-alpha and IL-16 in PS patients. Future studies on the genetics of CA should be performed in subgroups with PS, focussing on polymorphisms relevant for CA-specific and nonspecific (inflammatory) processes
Registries in Clinical Epidemiology: the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA)
No full textBackground: Disease registries rely on consistent electronic data capturing (EDC) pertinent to their objectives; either by using existing electronic data as far as available, or by implementing specific software solutions. Objectives: To describe the current practice of an international disease registry (European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies, ESSCA, www.essca-dc.org) against different state of the art approaches for EDC. Methods: Since 2002, ESSCA is collecting data, currently from 53 departments in 12 countries. Departmental EDC software ranges from spreadsheets to comprehensive "patch test software" based on a relational database. In the Erlangen data centre, such diverse data is imported, converted to a common format, quality checked and pooled for scientific analyses. Results: Feed-back to participating departments for quality control is provided by standardised reports. Varying author teams publish scientific analyses addressing the objective of contact allergy surveillance. Conclusions: Although ESSCA represents a historically grown, heterogeneous network and not one unified approach to EDC, some of its features have contributed to its viability in the last 12 years and may be useful to consider for similar investigator-initiated networks
Presumptive frequency of, and review of reports on, allergies to household gloves
No full textBackground Allergies to latex or 'rubber chemicals' in medical or other occupationally used gloves are not uncommon. In contrast, very few articles have reported on latex allergy (type I) or allergic contact sensitization to additives (type IV) associated with household gloves, in spite of some 44 million pairs sold in Germany in, e. g., 2006. Objective We seek to determine the frequency of allergies to household gloves by providing own data and we reviewed the literature. Methods The study was based on 105083 consultations of patients with suspected contact allergy (Type IV) in the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK) in Germany in the years 1995 to 2006 and on the PubMed databases (last access 7/2008). Results 1221 patients were identified in whom protective gloves were considered as a possible cause of contact dermatitis and who did not work in occupations associated with above average risk of contact allergy to rubber chemicals. In 178 cases positive reactions to rubber components were reported, while 13 additional cases reacted only to a previously used rubber glove brand, but not to commercial allergens. In the literature only two publications on type I and two on type IV reactions were found in which allergies to rubber household gloves were explicitly reported. Conclusions Allergies to rubber household gloves seem to be rare. Factors presumably counteracting contact sensitization by household gloves, compared to occupational use, comprise short intermediate use, loose fitting and the incorporation of e. g. an inner cotton surface reducing skin contact with rubber chemicals
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