Contact dermatitis: Alergológica-2005.

Two hundred-six cases of contact dermatitis were diagnosed in patients with a mean age of 42.5 years and a clear predominance of females (2.5:1). The prevalence of the disorder was 4.1% and a personal history of eczema in 23.8% of cases. Almost 50% of patients reported that their condition affected their quality of life. In 29.9% of patients there was an associated worsening irritative component of the lesions. As for the etiology, the main causes were metals, perfumes and rubbers. No positive results were found to lactone mixtures or tixocortal pivalate.

Retrospective study of tolerance to short initiation schedules in subcutaneous immunotherapy.

With the aim of evaluating tolerance to new shorter initiation schedules in subcutaneous immunotherapy everyday clinical practice, a study was carried out using Pangramin Plus with initiation periods between 3 (Cluster) and 6 (Plus) weeks. All the information was processed retrospectively and both systemic (SR) and local (LR) adverse reactions occurring between September 2002 and February 2003 were recorded. A total of 353 patients (261 Plus and 91 Cluster) were included and 2,886 doses were administered (2,166 in initiation and 720 in maintenance). Of these, 800 were with Grass mix extract, 1,141 Grass mix + Olea, 273 Olea, 73 Dermatophagoides mix and 599 Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. As regards adverse reactions (AR), 2.8% of patients showed SR and 4.8% LR, 1.2% of doses caused some type of reaction (SR and LR in 0.3% and 0.9%, respectively). The initiation schedule, first dose or allergens resulted in no significant differences in the frequency of adverse reactions. The Grass mix extract showed the highest frequency of AR. Sixty-seven percent of SR and 68% of LR were delayed. 64% of these reactions resolved spontaneously while the rest responded favourably to treatment. Adrenaline was administered on one occasion for immediate asthma. There were no cases of anaphylactic shock, hospitalisation or life-threatening situations. Pangramin Plus tolerance, therefore, can be classified as good, similar to conventional schedules, but with the benefits of shorter initiation schedules.

Epidemiology of urticaria in Spain.

BACKGROUND: In spite of the frequency of chronic urticaria there are very few epidemiological studies of its prevalence and distribution. OBJECTIVE: We wanted to approach the real prevalence of chronic urticaria in a population-based study and to depict demographic distribution and personal perception of the disease. We also wanted to describe the frequency of acute urticaria episodes in the population studied. METHODS: We conducted a population-based study among adults in Spain. We questioned 5003 individuals after calculating a sample size for a maximum variability (conservative approach p=q=0.5). RESULTS: We found a 0.6% (95% CI: 0.4-0.8) prevalence of chronic urticaria. The prevalence is significantly higher in women than in men with a OR=3.82 (95%CI 1.56-9.37). Chronic urticaria is a self-limited disease, yet in 8.7% of cases chronic urticaria lasts from one to 5 years and in 11.3%, for more than 5 years. The average age of onset is 40 years. CONCLUSIONS: We offer large epidemiology study data on the prevalence of chronic urticaria. The prevalence of chronic urticaria has not yet been defined in an adult population-based study. With this work we offer such data to describe the prevalence and features of this disease.

Prevalencia de alergia en la población adulta española / Allergy prevalence in adult spanish population

Introduccián: En lo últimos decenios se está registrando un aumento de las enfermedades alérgicas en todo el mundo. Sin embargo hay pocos estudios de prevalencia de alergia en la población general española. Objetivos: Establecer la prevalencia de enfermedades alérgicas en una muestra de población general adulta del estado español. Así como establecer las causas y las manifestaciones de esta alergia. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional de tipo tranversal. El tamaño de la muestra. suponiendo un nivel máximo de indeterminación prevalencia = 50%) y aceptando un error del 1.4% y un nivel de confianza del 95%. Fue de 5.003 sujeto . La muestra e seleccionó de forma aleatoria y automática del listín de teléfono, aplicando el control de cuotas de zona. el número de habitantes, el sexo y la edad. La recogida 1:1e datos se efectuó mediante encuesta telefónica siguiendo la técnica CATI (Computer-assisted Telephone Interview technique) con oporte Omnibus Phonebus de Taylor Ne/son Sofres Market Research. Resultados: De los 4.949 sujetos incluidos en el análisis. un 21,6% (IC 95% 20,4- 22,7%) refirieron ser alérgicos. La prevalencia fue mayor en mujeres (24,6%), en el grupo de 18 a 24 años de edad (26.9%) y en poblaciones de más de 500.000 habitantes (24,3%). mientras que fue menor en los varones (18,3%), en la región norte-centro ( 17 ,8%) y en poblaciones con menos de 10.000 habitantes ( 18.7% ). o hubo diferencia significativa en relación al nivel socioeconómico. La rinoconjuntivitis fue la manifestación alérgica más frecuente (45,4%) seguida del asma bronquial (24.9% ), la urticaria (24.6% ), la dermatitis (21,5%) y el angioederna (6% ). Las tres causas más frecuente de alergia fueron con diferencia los pólenes (31,5%). los medicamento (29,4%) y los ácaros del polvo domé tico (25.3%). Mucho menos frecuentes fueron los animales (6,8%). los metales (4.9%). los alimentos (4.8%), los hongos (3%), las picadura de insecto (2.5%), la exposición al sol (1,9%) y el látex (0,8%). Conclusiones: La prevalencia de alergia en la población adulta española es del 21,6%, y es más frecuente en las mujeres y en los núcleos urbanos de más de 500.000 habitantes. La manifestación más frecuente es la rinoconjuntivitis. Las manifestaciones cutáneas de la alergia no son despreciables. Las causas más frecuentes de alergia con los aeroalérgeno (pólenes y ácaros) y lo medicamentos (AU)

Background: In spite of the worldwide increase in allergic diseases over the recent years, few epidemiological studies have been conducted in Spain. Objective: We wanted to establish the real prevalence of allergy in a sample of adult general population. We then wanted to describe the profile. the causes and the type of caused disease. Methods: We conducted a population-based study among adults in Spain. We questioned 5003 individuals after calculating a simple size for a máximum undetermination level of (p = 50%). assuming a 1.4 error for global results and a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) l. Five thousands and three individual: were randomly selected from the telephone directory and matched according to sex, age and area. The phone survey was performed with each individual employing the Computer-assisted Telephone lnterview technique supported by Taylor elson Phonebus Company (Barcelona, Spain). Results: We found a 21.6% (95% CI: 20.4-22, 7%) prevalence of allergy. The prevalence was higher in wornen (24.6%) than in men (18.3%). Allergy condition was higher from 18 to 24 years old (26.9%). As it was expected. the prevalence was also higher in urban cities > 500.000 habitants (24.3%) than in rural cities with less than 10.000 habitants ( 18. 7% ). We did not find differences among economical status. The most cornrnon manifestation of allergic disease was rhinoconjunctivitis (45..+%) followed by bronchial asthrna (24.99'c), urticaria (24.6%). Dermatitis (21.5% ), and angioedema (6

Seasonal versus perennial immunotherapy: evaluation after three years of treatment.

We have performed a comparative study to evaluate seasonal and perennial schedules after 3 years of immunotherapy. Sixty patients suffering from rhinitis and/or asthma due to grass pollen sensitization were randomly allocated to receive a semi-depot extract of Phleum pratense according to a perennial or seasonal schedule. The last year of the study, 14 patients were recruited as a control group without immunotherapy. The cumulative dose was 602 BU in the perennial group and 372 BU in the seasonal group. The frequency and severity of side-effects were similar and very low in both treated groups. The IgE level was significantly lower after perennial immunotherapy at the end of the first 2 years. A seasonal decrease in specific IgG levels was observed in patients who interrupted immunotherapy, while this was not observed in patients under the perennial schedule. Symptoms and medication scores did not show differences between groups. Nevertheless, we found a significant difference between treated patients and the control group.