Hand eczema classification: a cross-sectional, multicentre study of the aetiology and morphology of hand eczema.

BACKGROUND: Hand eczema is a long-lasting disease with a high prevalence in the background population. The disease has severe, negative effects on quality of life and sometimes on social status. Epidemiological studies have identified risk factors for onset and prognosis, but treatment of the disease is rarely evidence based, and a classification system for different subdiagnoses of hand eczema is not agreed upon. Randomized controlled trials investigating the treatment of hand eczema are called for. For this, as well as for clinical purposes, a generally accepted classification system for hand eczema is needed. OBJECTIVES: The present study attempts to characterize subdiagnoses of hand eczema with respect to basic demographics, medical history and morphology. METHODS: Clinical data from 416 patients with hand eczema from 10 European patch test clinics were assessed. RESULTS: A classification system for hand eczema is proposed. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that this classification be used in clinical work and in clinical trials.

Monitoring the European standard series in 10 centres 1996-2000.

A 5-year retrospective study of the frequency of sensitization to the 25 allergens of the European standard series (ESS) was conducted in 10 centres in 8 European countries. Included were the results of 26 210 patients. The range in sensitivities differed moderately between the centres. Combining results of different centres and drawing conclusions on incidences can be done only with great care. The information on the ranking of the allergens and their sensitization incidence in the clinics are useful for decisions on the future composition of the standard series. The ESS is still a valid screening tool, and no substances should be deleted.

Patch testing with methyldibromo glutaronitrile, a multicentre study within the EECDRG.

Contact allergy to and allergic contact dermatitis from methyldibromo glutaronitrile (MDBGN) have frequently been reported. As there has been no agreement on which MDBGN test preparation to use, a study was initiated to help determine the optimal patch test preparation for MDBGN. 2661 consecutively patch tested patients at 11 test clinics representing 9 European countries participated. Petrolatum preparations with MDBGN at 1.0%, 0.5%, 0.3% and 0.1% were inserted in the standard series. Contact allergy rates were noted in the range 4.4-1.1% following decreasing test concentrations. Reactions not fulfilling all criteria to be classified as allergic reactions could represent either weak allergic or irritant reactions, and such reactions were noted in the range 8.2-0.5% with decreasing concentrations. A significant number of these reactions represented weak allergic reactions, as allergic reactions were obtained to higher patch test concentrations in the same individual. Morphologically irritant reactions were noted only for the highest test concentrations. In summary, the contact allergy rates and frequencies of doubtful and irritant reactions vary with the patch test concentration. The final decision on patch test concentration for MDBGN should not only rely on these factors but also include information on patch test concentrations required to diagnose individual cases with allergic contact dermatitis from MDBGN as well as results of repeated open application tests.

Repeated open application test with methyldibromo glutaronitrile, a multicentre study within the EECDRG.

Contact allergy to and allergic contact dermatitis from methyldibromo glutaronitrile (MDBGN) have frequently been reported. This study was initiated to help determine the optimal patch test preparation for MDBGN. In 51 patients with a doubtful or a positive patch test reaction to at least 1 of 4 test preparations with MDBGN in petrolatum at 1.0% w/w, 0.5%, 0.3% and 0.1%, a repeated open application test (ROAT) with moisturizers with and without MDBGN at 0.03% w/w was performed on the upper arms for 2 weeks. 18 of the 51 (35.3%) patients developed a positive ROAT. In all patients, there was a positive ROAT only to the moisturizer with MDBGN (P < 0.001). A statistically significant association was also found between the patch test reactivity (PTRL) and the outcome of the ROAT (P < 0.001). If only considering those with a PTRL above 0.3%, thus with negative or doubtful test reactions to 0.1% and 0.3%, there were still statistically significantly more patients with a positive ROAT to the moisturizer with MDBGN than to the moisturizer without MDBGN. The study demonstrates that patch testing with MDBGN at 0.3% and 0.1% will miss clinically relevant patch test reactions to MDBGN.

Routine patch testing with frullanolide mix: an European Environmental and Contact Dermatitis Research Group multicentre study.

Contact sensitivity to plants containing 1 or more sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) is difficult to diagnose. The mixture of SLs (SL mix) has been shown to detect only about 60% of sensitized individuals. In order to improve the diagnosis of sensitization to plants containing SLs, we have tested a mixture of frullanolides contained in Frullania dilatata and Frullania tamarisci at 3 different concentrations (0.01%, 0.033% and 0.1% in petrolatum). 8605 consecutive eczema patients in 1 North American and 15 European dermatology departments were tested with this mix, and 0.35% of positive cases to the different concentrations were found. Routine use of this mix permitted detection of only a small percentage of extra cases and did not improve the SL mix score. The frullanolide mix should therefore be restricted to investigations in particular geographical zones and/or in particular occupations.

Monitoring levels of preservative sensitivity in Europe. A 10-year overview (1991-2000).

A 10-year multicentre analysis of the frequency of sensitivity to common preservatives collected in 16 centres in 11 countries has shown stable but persisting high levels of sensitivity to formaldehyde and 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one + 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (MCI/MI). It has also revealed a significant increase in the level of reactivity to methyldibromoglutaronitrile (MDBGN) from 0.7% in 1991 to 3.5% in 2000. The current high level of sensitivity to MDBGN requires an urgent safety re-evaluation and risk assessment update along with consideration of immediate lowering of use concentrations, especially in leave-on products.

Patch testing with corticosteroid mixes in Europe. A multicentre study of the EECDRG.

This study investigated whether a corticosteroid mix containing tixocortol pivalate, budesonide, and hydrocortisone-17-butyrate could detect contact allergy to corticosteroids. 2 corticosteroid mixes, 1 with a high (mix I) and 1 with a low (mix II) concentration and the 3 individual constituents, each at 2 concentrations, were inserted into the standard series of 16 participating clinics. Tests were read on day (D) 3 or 4. 5432 patients were tested, and 110 (2.0%) had positive reactions to at least 1 of the 8 test preparations. Of the 8 preparations, mix I identified most allergic patients, followed by mix II, budesonide 0.10%, budesonide 0.002%, and tixocortol pivalate, both concentrations (1.0 and 0.10%) tracing the same number. With the mixes, 53.2-59.6% of tixocortol pivalate allergy was missed. 47 patients were allergic to either concentration of tixocortol pivalate, 25% of these only to 1.0% and another 25% only to 0.10%. Testing with mix I and tixocortol pivalate 0.10% picked up 98/110, testing with tixocortol pivalate 1.0% and 0.10% and budesonide 0.10% picked up 105/110. 3379 patients were read on both D3 or D4 as well as on D7. Without a late reading (D7), up to 30% of contact allergy to corticosteroid markers was missed.

Routine patch testing with the sesquiterpene lactone mix in Europe: a 2-year experience. A multicentre study of the EECDRG.

To test the screening value of the sesquiterpene lactone (SL) mix in Europe today and describe epidemiological and clinical features of Compositae-sensitive patients, the SL mix 0.1% pet. was included in the standard patch test series in 11 European clinics. 10,695 patients were tested, and 106 (1%) had positive reactions, 74% of which were of current or old relevance. The prevalence of positive reactions varied between 0.1 and 2.7% in different centres. The median age of the 66 females was 51.5 years, and 55.2 in the 40 males. The 20 occupationally sensitized had a higher % of males and a median age of 43 years, whereas 7 UV-sensitive patients had a median age of 72 years. Garden plants were the major suspected sensitizers and the clinical patterns were partly, in accordance with plant dermatoses in general, involving hands, forearms and face, and partly widespread eczema in a large proportion of the patients. More than 1/3 were positive to perfume and/or colophony, possibly reflecting cross-reactivity. With only 1 case of active sensitization and no irritant reactions, the SL mix is a safe allergen and the overall prevalence of positive reactions supports its continued use in the standard patch test series.

Idiopathic plantar hidradenitis.

We describe four cases of idiopathic plantar hidradenitis (IPH), a form of neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis (NEH) localized on the feet of otherwise healthy young persons. Our patients were all males, 8-17 years old, in apparently good health, but presenting erythematous painful papules, plaques and nodules on the soles. They were afebrile and there were no constitutional symptoms. The differential diagnoses included erythema nodosum, vasculitis and traumatic plantar urticaria. The histological features of IPH are similar to those of NEH, except for the absence of syringosquamous metaplasia. The patients were treated with topical steroids and oral NSAID, with total resolution of the lesions in 1 or 2 weeks.

Corticosteroid contact allergy: an EECDRG multicentre study.

This article describes the results of an EECDRG multicentre study on contact allergy to corticosteroids. A total of 7238 patients were investigated: 6238 in 13 centres in the course of 1993, and 1000 patients in 1 centre in 1993 and 1994. The 5 corticosteroids tested were budesonide 0.1% pet., betamethasone-17-valerate 1% pet., clobetasol-17-propionate 1% pet., hydrocortisone-17-butyrate 1% eth., and tixocortol-21-pivalate 1% pet.; 189 (2.6%) gave a positive patchtest reaction (+, ++, + + +) to at least 1 of the corticosteroids. The data regarding the corticosteroid-sensitive patients, as well as the patchtest results, were recorded on a standardized form.

Allergic contact dermatitis in children. A multicenter study of the Portuguese Contact Dermatitis Group (GPEDC).

The authors report a study of allergic contact dermatitis in 329 Portuguese children of 14 years or younger. 170 children (64 male and 106 female) reacted to 1 or more allergens. Most of these were in the 11-14 years group. The main allergens were nickel, thimerosal, cobalt, mercury, fragrance-mix and potassium dichromate. Nickel reactivity predominated in females over the whole group, but a greater number of males younger than 5 years reacted to nickel. The number of positive reactions increased with age, but this was not accompained by an increase in the % of relevant tests. 12 children, all of them 13 or 14 years-old, had an occupational allergic contact dermatitis.