Characteristics of chromium-allergic dermatitis patients prior to regulatory intervention for chromium in leather: a questionnaire study

TY - JOUR

T1 - Characteristics of chromium-allergic dermatitis patients prior to regulatory intervention for chromium in leather

T2 - a questionnaire study

AU - Bregnbak, David

AU - Thyssen, Jacob P

AU - Zachariae, Claus

AU - Johansen, Jeanne D

N1 - © 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

PY - 2014/12/1

Y1 - 2014/12/1

N2 - Background. Chromium-tanned leather articles currently constitute the most important cause of contact allergy to chromium in Denmark. A regulation on the content of hexavalent chromium in leather was adopted in November 2013 by the EU member states. Objectives. To characterize patients with chromium allergy and their disease, to serve as a baseline for future studies on the potential effect of the new regulation on chromium in leather. Methods. A questionnaire case-control study was performed on 155 dermatitis patients with positive patch test reactions to potassium dichromate and a matched control group of 621 dermatitis patients. Comparisons weremade by use of a χ2-test and the Mann-Whitney U -test. Logistic regression analyses were used to test for associations. Results. Sixty-six per cent of chromium-allergic patients had a positive history of contact dermatitis caused by leather exposure. They had a significantly lower quality of life (p < 0.001), a higher prevalence of dermatitis during the last year (p = 0.008), a higher use of medication during the past 12months (p = 0.001) and a higher prevalence of sick leave (p = 0.007) than patients in the control group. Conclusions. Chromium-allergic patients have more severe and more chronic contact dermatitis. Their primary chromium exposure comes from leather articles.

AB - Background. Chromium-tanned leather articles currently constitute the most important cause of contact allergy to chromium in Denmark. A regulation on the content of hexavalent chromium in leather was adopted in November 2013 by the EU member states. Objectives. To characterize patients with chromium allergy and their disease, to serve as a baseline for future studies on the potential effect of the new regulation on chromium in leather. Methods. A questionnaire case-control study was performed on 155 dermatitis patients with positive patch test reactions to potassium dichromate and a matched control group of 621 dermatitis patients. Comparisons weremade by use of a χ2-test and the Mann-Whitney U -test. Logistic regression analyses were used to test for associations. Results. Sixty-six per cent of chromium-allergic patients had a positive history of contact dermatitis caused by leather exposure. They had a significantly lower quality of life (p < 0.001), a higher prevalence of dermatitis during the last year (p = 0.008), a higher use of medication during the past 12months (p = 0.001) and a higher prevalence of sick leave (p = 0.007) than patients in the control group. Conclusions. Chromium-allergic patients have more severe and more chronic contact dermatitis. Their primary chromium exposure comes from leather articles.

U2 - 10.1111/cod.12291

DO - 10.1111/cod.12291

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 25142070

SN - 0105-1873

VL - 71

SP - 338

EP - 347

JO - Contact Dermatitis

JF - Contact Dermatitis

IS - 6

ER -