Search

The European baseline series was last updated in 2019. This article discusses the reasoning behind a further iteration of the series for 2023.

ImportanceThe common use of isothiazolinones as preservatives is a global cause of allergic contact dermatitis. Differences in allowable concentrations of methylisothiazolinone (MI) exist in Europe, Canada, and the US.ObjectiveTo compare the prevalence of positive patch test reactions to the methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI) combination and MI alone in North America and Europe from 2009 to 2018.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis retrospective analysis of North American Contact Dermatitis Group, European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA), and the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK) databases included data from patients presenting for patch testing at referral patch test clinics in North America and Europe.ExposuresPatch tests to MCI/MI and MI.Main Outcomes and MeasuresPrevalence of allergic contact dermatitis to MCI/MI and MI.ResultsFrom 2009 to 2018, participating sites in North America and Europe patch tested a total of 226 161 individuals to MCI/MI and 118 779 to MI. In Europe, positivity to MCI/MI peaked during 2013 and 2014 at 7.6% (ESSCA) and 5.4% (IVDK) before decreasing to 4.4% (ESSCA) and 3.2% (IVDK) during 2017 and 2018. Positive reactions to MI were 5.5% (ESSCA) and 3.4% (IVDK) during 2017 and 2018. In North America, the frequency of positivity to MCI/MI increased steadily through the study period, reaching 10.8% for MCI/MI during 2017 and 2018. Positive reactions to MI were 15.0% during 2017 and 2018.Conclusions and RelevanceThe study results suggest that in contrast to the continued increase in North America, isothiazolinone allergy is decreasing in Europe. This trend may coincide with earlier and more stringent government regulation of MI in Europe. more...

In 2019, a number of allergens (haptens), henceforth, "the audit allergens," were considered as potential additions to the European Baseline Series (EBS), namely, sodium metabisulfite, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, Compositae mix II (2.5% or 5% pet), linalool hydroperoxides (lin-OOH), limonene hydroperoxides (lim-OOH), benzisothiazolinone (BIT), octylisothiazolinone (OIT), decyl glucoside, and lauryl glucoside; Evernia furfuracea (tree moss), was additionally tested by some departments as well.To collect further data on patch test reactivity and clinical relevance of the audit allergens in consecutive patients across Europe.Patch test data covering the audit allergens in 2019 and 2020 were collected by those departments of the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies testing these, as well as further collaborators from the EBS working group of the European Society of Contact Dermatitis (ESCD), and the Spanish Grupo Español de Investigación en Dermatitis de Contacto y Alergia Cutánea. As patch test outcome, reactions between day (D) 3 and D5 were considered.Altogether n = 12 403 patients were tested with any of the audit allergen. Positive reactions were most common to lin-OOH 1% pet. (8.74% [95%CI: 8.14-9.37%]), followed by lin-OOH 0.5% pet., and lim-OOH 0.3% pet (5.41% [95% CI: 4.95-5.89%]). Beyond these terpene hydroperoxides, BIT 0.1% pet. was the second most common allergen with 4.72% (95% CI: 4.2-5.28%), followed by sodium metabisulfite 1% pet. (3.75% [95%CI: 3.32-4.23%]) and Compositae mix 5% pet. (2.31% [95% CI: 1.84-2.87%]). For some allergens, clinical relevance was frequently difficult to ascertain.Despite many positive patch test reactions, it remains controversial whether lin- and lim-OOH should be tested routinely, while at least the two preservatives BIT and sodium metabisulfite appear suitable. The present results are a basis for further discussion and ultimately decision on their implementation into routine testing among the ESCD members. more...

Background Budesonide was included in the European Baseline Series in 2000 as the most suitable marker forcorticosteroid hypersensitivity. In the last two decades, a decreasing trend of budesonide allergy has been observed. Objectives To estimate the prevalence of positive patch test reactions to budesonide in a large, Italian patch test population, characterizing patients according to MOAHLFA index and evaluating the benefit with extended readings of budesonide patch test. Methods Retrospective analysis of patient demographics and patch test results over a 2-year period (2018-2019) was performed at 14 patch test clinics in Italy. Results Ninety out of 14 544 (0.6%) patients reacted to budesonide 0.01% pet.. Positive reactions were mild in 54.4% and late readings at day 7 showed new positive reactions in 37.8% of patients. The MOAHLFA index showed a significant positive association with male gender, atopic dermatitis, and age >40 years and a significant negative association with hand and face dermatitis. Conclusions We documented a low prevalence of budesonide allergy in Italy, confirming its decreasing trend recently reported in the literature. Nevertheless, budesonide needs to be maintained in the baseline series for its good ability to detect corticosteroid sensitization. more...

Background Healthcare workers are at risk for occupational chronic hand eczema (CHE) because of frequent handwashing and prolonged use of occlusive gloves. Prevention programs based on skin care education have been shown to be beneficial. We developed and assessed the efficacy of a skin care educational intervention for healthcare workers of our hospital. Methods The intervention consisted of two sessions, one week apart, each divided in a theoretical and a practical part, focusing on the skin barrier, types of eczema, risk factors for CHE, hand hygiene measures respectful of the skin, proper use of protective gloves and emollient creams. Its efficacy was assessed by a questionnaire, administered before and after the intervention, investigating the participants' knowledge of risk factors for CHE and risk behaviors. Results Twenty-three subjects, mostly (65.2%) nurses, took part in the intervention; 60.9% had a self-reported atopic background and 65.2% participants reported a history of CHE. The intervention improved significantly the participants' knowledge on CHE risk factors, i.e. frequent handwashing (P=0.023), surgical scrubbing (P=0.016) and prolonged glove wearing (P=0.022). The frequency of hand washing was significantly reduced (P=0.022). The participants gave a positive unanimous feedback. Conclusions Our intervention was effective, by significantly improving the participants' knowledge and by inducing significant behavioral changes. Improving the formulation of alcoholic hand rubs may be a key factor to encourage their use. Coexisting nonoccupational risk behaviors are just as important in the prevention of CHE. more...

BACKGROUND Studies suggest that patch testing with formaldehyde releasers (FRs) gives significant additional information to formaldehyde 1% aq. and should be considered for addition to the European baseline series (EBS). It is not known if this is also true for formaldehyde 2% aq. OBJECTIVES To determine the frequency of sensitization to formaldehyde 2% aq. and co-reactivity with FRs. To establish whether there is justification for including FRs in the EBS. MATERIALS AND METHODS A 4-year, multi-center retrospective analysis of patients with positive patch test reactions to formaldehyde 2% aq. and five FRs. RESULTS A maximum of 15 067 patients were tested to formaldehyde 2% aq. and at least one FR. The percentage of isolated reactions to FR, without co-reactivity to, formaldehyde 2% aq. for each FR were: 46.8% for quarternium-15 1% pet.; 67.4% imidazolidinyl urea 2% pet.; 64% diazolidinyl urea 2% pet.; 83.3% 1,3-dimethylol-5, 5-dimethyl hydantoin (DMDM) hydantoin 2% pet. and 96.3% 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol 0.5% pet. This demonstrates that co-reactivity varies between FRs and formaldehyde, from being virtually non-existent in 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol 0.5% pet. (Cohen's kappa: 0, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.02 to 0.02)], to only weak concordance for quaternium-15 [Cohen's kappa: 0.22, 95%CI 0.16 to 0.28)], where Cohen's kappa value of 1 would indicate full concordance. CONCLUSIONS Formaldehyde 2% aq. is an inadequate screen for contact allergy to the formaldehyde releasers, which should be considered for inclusion in any series dependant on the frequency of reactions to and relevance of each individual allergen. more...

Alitretinoin is the only systemic agent approved to treat moderate-severe chronic hand eczema (CHE) unresponsive to potent topical corticosteroids. No nationwide Italian data regarding real-life efficacy, safety, and tolerability of treatment are available. The DECISA project (DErmatology Clinics in Italy: Survey on Alitretinoin) retrospectively examined data from a registry including 15 Dermatology Clinics authorized to prescription of alitretinoin for CHE patients. Disease severity was assessed at baseline, and after 3 and 6 months of treatment, using the 5-point Physician Global Assessment (PGA) and the modified Total Lesion-Symptoms-Severity (mTLSS) scores. Between November 2010 and July 2018, data of 248 male and 190 female patients (mean age 49.71 ± 13.20 years) treated with alitretinoin were collected. Of them, 43.2% had irritant contact dermatitis, 22.2% allergic contact dermatitis, 18.0% atopic dermatitis, 16.7% mixed (irritant/allergic) type of eczema. At 3 months, the 420 re-evaluated patients showed significantly reduced mTLSS and PGA (P more...

BACKGROUND Sun exposure is the main external risk factor for keratinocytic non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). Outdoor workers are at increased risk but the relationship of NMSC with occupational solar exposure is often confounded by concurrent recreational sun exposure. We compared the percentage of outdoor workers in NMSC patients versus controls without history of NMSC and assessed occupational and recreational sun exposure in both groups, evaluating also other risk factors and use of protective measures. METHODS Adult NMSC patients and controls without history of NMSC or actinic keratoses, matched for sex and age range, were recruited in Dermatology Departments of seven Italian University Hospitals, with a 1:2 patient/control ratio whenever possible. Data were collected using specifically designed questionnaires. RESULTS 834 patients and 1563 controls were enrolled. History of outdoor work was significantly (p=0.033) more frequent in patients. Patients were more sun exposed from outdoor leisure activities (p=0.012) and sunbathed for longer periods (p=0.13) and between 12 pm and 3.30 pm (p=0.011). Cumulative sun exposure during hobbies was similar between patients and controls in outdoor workers, higher (p more...

"Artículo escrito por un elevado número de autores, solo se referencian el que aparece en primer lugar, el nombre del grupo de colaboración, si le hubiere, y los autores pertenecientes a la UAM", Background: Clinical surveillance of the prevalence of contact allergy in consecutively patch tested patients is a proven instrument to continually assess the importance of contact allergens (haptens) assembled in a baseline series. Objectives: To present current results from the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies, including 13 countries represented by 1 to 11 departments. Methods: Anonymized or pseudonymized patch test and clinical data from various data capture systems used locally or nationally as transferred to the Erlangen data centre were pooled and descriptively analysed after quality control. Results: In the 4 years (2015-2018), data from 51 914 patients patch tested with the European baseline series (EBS) of contact allergens were analysed. Contact allergy to nickel was most frequent (17.6% positive), followed by contact allergy to fragrance mix I (6.9%), methylisothiazolinone (MI; 6.2%), and Myroxylon pereirae resin (balsam of Peru; 5.8%). Conclusions: While the prevalence of MI contact allergy decreased substantially following regulatory intervention, the persistently high levels of allergy to metals, fragrances, other preservatives, and rubber chemicals point to problems needing further research and, potentially, preventive efforts. Results with national additions to the baseline series provide important information on substances possibly to be considered for inclusion in the EBS., Partial funding by EADV Grant PPRC-2018-8 more...

Background: The current European baseline series consists of 30 allergens, and was last updated in 2015. Objectives: To use data from the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA) to propose an extension to the European baseline series in response to changes in environmental exposures. Methods: Data from departmental and national extensions to the baseline series, together with some temporary additions from departments contributing to the ESSCA, were collated during 2013–2014. Results: In total, 31689 patients were patch tested in 46 European departments. Many departments and national groups already consider the current European baseline series to be a suboptimal screen, and use their own extensions to it. The haptens tested are heterogeneous, although there are some consistent themes. Potential haptens to include in an extension to the European baseline series comprise sodium metabisulfite, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, additional markers of fragrance allergy, propolis, Compositae mix, and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate. Conclusion: In combination with other published work from the ESSCA, changes to the current European baseline series are proposed for discussion. As well as addition of the allergens listed above, it is suggested that primin and clioquinol should be deleted from the series, owing to reduced environmental exposure. more...

There is a need for validated tools to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in routine clinical practice.The aim of this study was to validate the Chronic Urticaria Patient Perspective (CUPP) for assessment of patients with chronic urticaria (CU) in clinical practice.A provisional CUPP was developed from candidate items identified by following an iterative process in a retrospective analysis of 249 Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire questionnaires. The psychometric properties of the CUPP were then tested on a sample of patients enrolled in 13 Italian centers.The study population in the validation phase comprised 152 patients. The 10-item version of the CUPP showed satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha values of 0.76 at visit 1 and 0.90 at visit 2), good criteria, and discriminative and convergent validity. Reliability was assessed in 34 patients with no changes in health (Global Rating Scale = 0 at visit 2) and was satisfactory (CCC [concordance correlation coefficient] = 0.9). Changes in CUPP scores were significantly associated with changes in Urticaria Activity Score (UAS)-Hive count (r = 0.36, P .001), UAS-Itch severity (r = 0.48, P.001), and UAS-Total score (r = 0.342, P.001), all of which indicated good responsiveness. The minimal important difference was 1.5.CUPP is a simple 10-question tool with good psychometric properties that provides a valid, reliable, and standardized measurement of HRQoL in patients with CU. more...

Background: The current European baseline series consists of 30 allergens, and was last updated in 2015. Objectives: To use data from the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA) to propose an extension to the European baseline series in response to changes in environmental exposures. Methods: Data from departmental and national extensions to the baseline series, together with some temporary additions from departments contributing to the ESSCA, were collated during 2013–2014. Results: In total, 31689 patients were patch tested in 46 European departments. Many departments and national groups already consider the current European baseline series to be a suboptimal screen, and use their own extensions to it. The haptens tested are heterogeneous, although there are some consistent themes. Potential haptens to include in an extension to the European baseline series comprise sodium metabisulfite, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, additional markers of fragrance allergy, propolis, Compositae mix, and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate. Conclusion: In combination with other published work from the ESSCA, changes to the current European baseline series are proposed for discussion. As well as addition of the allergens listed above, it is suggested that primin and clioquinol should be deleted from the series, owing to reduced environmental exposure. more...

Summary Background Little is known about the socio-economic burden of severe chronic hand eczema in patients refractory to treatment with potent corticosteroids. Objectives To estimate the socio-economic burden of severe chronic hand eczema refractory to potent topical corticosteroids, and to establish an algorithm for the estimation of the health-related quality of life EuroQol five-dimensional (EQ-5D) utility index from the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) summary score. Methods A multicentre cost of illness study was conducted, adopting the societal perspective. Adult patients with severe and refractory chronic hand eczema were enrolled. Direct (e.g. drug treatment and travel) and indirect (i.e. loss of productivity) mean costs/patient-month were estimated. Health-related quality of life was assessed with the EQ-5D and DLQI questionnaires. An ordinary least square regression model was used to investigate relationships between health-related quality of life scores. Results One hundred and four valid patients (mean age 44.5 years, 39.4% male) participated. Overall mean costs were €418.3/patient-month: loss of productivity contributed 43.7%, followed by hospitalization (16.1%) and travel (10.3%). Health-related quality of life scores were, on average, 0.50 (EQ-5D utility) and 11.3 (DLQI). Utility and DLQI summary were significantly related to each other. Conclusions Wellbeing and loss of productivity are the most important consequences in these patients. Appropriate treatment is necessary to improve patient health and productivity, which will contribute to reducing societal costs. more...

Summary Background The evidence on the safety of topical preparations containing botanical extracts is limited. Objectives To assess (i) the use of botanically derived compounds in a large population, (ii) the incidence of cutaneous side-effects, and (iii) the diagnostic usefulness of patch testing. Methods A questionnaire was used in 2661 patients to assess both the prevalence and type of topical botanical preparations used, and the occurrence of adverse skin reactions. Patients declaring adverse reactions were patch tested with (i) the Italian (SIDAPA) baseline series, (ii) an additional botanical series, and (iii) the patients' own products. Results Of the patients, 1274 (48%) reported the use of topical botanical products; 139 patients (11%) commented on adverse cutaneous reactions; 75 (54%) showed positive reactions with the Italian baseline series. Among the 122 patients tested with the botanical series, 19 (16%) showed positive reactions, in many cases with concomitant relevant positivity to at least one allergen of the Italian series connected with cosmetics. The commonest botanically derived allergens were propolis, Compositae extracts, and Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil. Conclusions Contact allergy is a possible adverse effect of natural products. Baseline series supplemented with the commonest botanical allergens may be adequate for detecting most of the cases of contact allergy to natural topical products. more...

A 85-year-old woman with a seven-year diagnosis of diffuse but stabilized cutaneous systemic sclerosis (SS), that included gastrointestinal and respiratory involvement, was admitted to the Internal Medicine Department for malaise and severe dehydration. Her drug history included only levetiracetam (500 mg/d) and pantoprazole (20 mg/d) that she was taking for epilepsy and gastritis, respectively. The patient had not followed systemic therapy for her SS for three years.During hospitalization, she [...] more...

Resume Il existe de nombreuses molecules utilisees dans la rosacee, d’abord en topiques (principalement le metronidazole, l’acide azelaique, des antibiotiques, les derives soufres, les retinoides) et des medicaments per os (principalement les cyclines, le metronidazole et les macrolides). Dans certains cas, le traitement de premiere intention est systemique, en raison de l’importante irritabilite faciale, qui peut entrainer une intolerance aux medicaments topiques. L’isotretinoine est parfois utilisee en cas de rosacee resistante. Malheureusement, la majorite des etudes disponibles sur le traitement de la rosacee sont de faible qualite, avec d’importants risques de biais dans les conclusions. Une revue Cochrane recente a conclu que seul le metronidazole et l’acide azelaique topiques ainsi que la doxycycline per os a 40 mg ont fait la preuve de leur efficacite dans la rosacee moderee a severe. Des essais controles de bonne qualite restent indispensables dans cette maladie. Dans notre pratique, nous recherchons systematiquement la presence de deux facteurs d’exacerbation, l’infection a Helicobacter pylori et la pullulation intestinale. Lorsqu’ils sont mis en evidence, nous utilisons des antibiotiques adaptes. Si ce n’est pas le cas, nous employons les cyclines et le metronidazole per os dans la rosacee papulo-pustuleuse. Nous recherchons aussi la presence de Demodex folliculorum . Quand la densite de Demodex est superieure a 5/cm 2 , nous utilisons initialement le crotamiton a 10 % ou le metronidazole topique. more...

BACKGROUND An alarming increase in the prevalence of sensitization to the preservative methylisothiazolinone (MI), alone or in combination with methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI), has recently been reported, mainly in Northern Europe. Prevalence data from Southern Europe are scanty. METHODS We evaluated the prevalence of contact allergy to MI and MCI/MI among 1392 patients consecutively patch tested in 2012-2013 at the Clinica Dermatologica of San Martino Hospital, Genoa, Italy. The patients were patch tested with 2000 ppm MI aq. in addition to the Italian baseline series. The MOAHLFA Index (Male, Occupation, Atopic Dermatitis, Hand, Legs, Face, Age above 40 years) was registered for all patients. Relevant exposures to MI and/or MI/MCI were determined and the patients' clinical outcome after isothiazolinones avoidance was evaluated. RESULTS The prevalence of sensitization to MI showed a steep increase of prevalence from 2.3% in 2012 to 6.9% in 2013 while sensitization to MI/MCI rose from 6.76% in 2012 to 9.04% in 2013. Hand and face dermatitis were significantly prevalent in MI allergic patients. Cosmetics, followed by household products, were the most common sources of relevant exposure to both MI and MI/MCI. Clinical improvement after avoidance of isothiazolinones containing products was reported by 85.3% of followed up patients. CONCLUSIONS In Italy the prevalence of MI and MI/MCI contact allergy is alarmingly high and it is increasing. more...

A 40-year-old female patient presented with generalized eczema resistant to oral and topical steroids. The dermatitis had started on her legs after use of postepilation soothing remedies, and had become worse following liberal applications of a body lotion for ‘sensitive/allergic skin’. After remission, obtained by a short course of cyclosporin A and withdrawal from topical products, the patient was patch tested with the Societa Italiana di Dermatologia Allergologica Professionale ed Ambientale (SIDAPA) Baseline series, a cosmetic series, and her own products. She reacted positively to formaldehyde (+ at D2 and ++ at D3), fragrance mix I (+ at both D2 and D4), nickel sulfate (+ at D2 and D3) more...

The evidence on the safety of topical preparations containing botanical extracts is limited.To assess (i) the use of botanically derived compounds in a large population, (ii) the incidence of cutaneous side-effects, and (iii) the diagnostic usefulness of patch testing.A questionnaire was used in 2661 patients to assess both the prevalence and type of topical botanical preparations used, and the occurrence of adverse skin reactions. Patients declaring adverse reactions were patch tested with (i) the Italian (SIDAPA) baseline series, (ii) an additional botanical series, and (iii) the patients' own products.Of the patients, 1274 (48%) reported the use of topical botanical products; 139 patients (11%) commented on adverse cutaneous reactions; 75 (54%) showed positive reactions with the Italian baseline series. Among the 122 patients tested with the botanical series, 19 (16%) showed positive reactions, in many cases with concomitant relevant positivity to at least one allergen of the Italian series connected with cosmetics. The commonest botanically derived allergens were propolis, Compositae extracts, and Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil.Contact allergy is a possible adverse effect of natural products. Baseline series supplemented with the commonest botanical allergens may be adequate for detecting most of the cases of contact allergy to natural topical products. more...

Aquagenic urticaria is a rare form of inducible urticaria characterized by wealing at the site of contact of the skin with water, regardless of its temperature, within minutes of exposure. We describe six young women who reported urticarial rashes, triggered mostly by sea bathing, characteristically localized on the inferior facial contours and neck. In four of the six patients, this was the only localization. All six reacted with erythema and wealing to challenge tests with hypertonic saline (3.5% NaCl) applied to the submandibular area and/or neck. Two patients reacted also to tap water or to normal saline, but less intensely. Challenge tests with different hypertonic water solutions, performed in one patient, showed that both salinity and hypertonicity may be pathogenically relevant. Response to antihistamines was poor in three patients. Our experience suggests the existence of a distinct salt-dependent subtype of aquagenic urticaria (SDAU) that affects young women, with a characteristic localization on the inferior facial contours and neck. SDAU is possibly under-recognized and under-reported. more...

A patient with systemic scleroderma is described who developed a cutaneous eruption of papules and vesicobullae. Over time, the latter turned into papules. The histopathological and immunofluorescence features of the papular lesions were unequivocally those of lichen planus, while those of the bullous lesions reminded of erythema multiforme. Histologically, erythema multiforme shares common features with lichenoid reactions, such as necrotic keratinocytes. Our case suggests that erythema multiforme and lichen planus may coexist or succeed each other as different stereotype immune reactions against the same antigen(s) within the epidermis. more...

1 . Daniell HW . Aggression of C-diffi cile infections in PPI consumers . Am J Gastroenterol 2014 ; 109:922–3 (this issue) . 2 . Freedberg DE , Salmasian H , Friedman C et al. Proton pump inhibitors and risk for recurrent Clostridium diffi cile infection among inpatients . Am J Gastroenterol 2013 ; 108 : 1794 – 801 . 3 . Hebert C , Du H , Peterson LR et al. Electronic health record-based detection of risk factors for Clostridium diffi cile infection relapse . Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2013 ; 34 : 407 – 14 . more...

Rosacea is a common, chronic, cutaneous disorder presenting with recurrent episodes of facial flushing, erythema, papules, pustules and telangiectasias. It is a multifactorial disease and its various clinical presentations probably represent the consequence of combined different triggers upon a specific background. Its management is largely based on long-established treatments empirically tailored to the specific presenting symptoms and no real breakthrough has occurred to date. However, recent insights into the still rather obscure pathophysiology of rosacea seem to open the way for etiologically oriented treatments. These may include, on the one side, the more effective application of traditional drugs, such as tetracyclines and metronidazole, to specifically selected patients or, on the other side, new therapeutic options, such as vitamin D receptor antagonists. It is to be remarked that the quality of most studies evaluating rosacea treatment is rather poor, mainly due to a lack of proper standardization. For a major breakthrough to occur in the management of rosacea, we need both a better understanding of its pathogenesis and the adherence of future clinical trials to clearly defined grading and inclusion criteria, which are crucial for investigators to correctly compare and interpret the results of their work. more...

Background: Contact dermatitis (CD) is a chronic disease with a significant impact on quality of life (QoL). There have been relatively few reports in the literature on specific QoL outcomes for patients suffering from CD. Objectives: To develop a new instrument specifically designed to measure QoL in CD and to investigate which disease features could strongly influence QoL. Methods: Three hundred seventy-two patients affected by CD were administered a 20-item questionnaire, which comprised some questions taken and modified from the Dermatology Life Quality Index and the Skindex 16. Six more items were added. Univariate analysis and a chi-square test were performed. Results: Females reported lower QoL scores than males. Three aspects (itching, discomfort, and difficulty in daily activities) were strongly associated with a poor QoL; even if patients who experienced difficulty in using their hands at work had a poor QoL, the statistical significance was very low. Conclusion: A CD-specific questionnaire can be used to understand a priori the impact on psychological behaviour of the patient and can lead to specific choices, such as the appropriate therapy to be used, the evaluation of treatment efficacy, the choice of preventive devices, and the comparison with QoL of other dermatoses. more...

Background: Clinical performance measurements often employ outcome indicators to express the extent to which health services achieve a given clinical result. Objective: The objective of our study was to develop an outcome indicator of patch testing. We identified and measured as a possible indicator the ratio of patients with allergic and/or photo-allergic contact dermatitis clinically cured/improved as a result of identification of relevant allergens. Patients/Methods: Patients with positive reactions considered relevant to their current dermatitis were interviewed by telephone 2 months after patch/photo-patch testing in order to assess their clinical outcome in relation to the recommended elimination of supposedly relevant allergens. Results: Over a 4-year period positive reactions were seen in 1397 out of 2857 tested patients. Relevance was considered current in 578 subjects, and 506 of them were interviewed. Remission/significant improvement following allergen(s) contact avoidance was reported by 431 patients, the outcome indicator (431/506) thus scoring 85.2%. Among the 75 patients who reported no improvement, 41 had not avoided contact with the offending substance(s), 17 had other persistent concomitant skin conditions, and 17 were unchanged despite elimination of the alleged relevant allergens. Conclusions: The ratio of relevantly patch-test-positive patients resolved/improved after allergen avoidance is a useful patch-testing outcome indicator. more...

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, presenting with different clinicopathological forms. These great variety of presentations make the diagnosis of leprosy a difficult challenge in countries where the disease is not endemic. Moreover, a discordance between the clinical and histopathological diagnosis in classifying a case of leprosy can complicate the issue. We report a 43-year-old woman in whom the diagnosis of leprosy was challenging, especially, because the biopsy was sent without any clinical suspicion and Italy is a nonendemic area. The clinical informations described simply an annular lesion, and histopathology disclosed a superficial and deep moderate perivascular and periadnexal infiltrate in the dermis, predominantly made of lymphocytes with some histiocytes, in the absence of granuloma formation, foamy histiocytes, or giant cells. Only the clinicopathological correlation based upon the patient's family history, her Brazilian origin, and her anesthetic lesions led us to the suspicion of leprosy. We reviewed the slides with more serial cuts and with special stains that eventually revealed a slight perineural lymphohistiocytic infiltrate and the presence of rare bacilli in the nerves, more consistent with indeterminate leprosy. However, the clinical features and the detection of just few bacilli in the skin lesions and skin smears were more consistent with a borderline leprosy. The discordance between the clinical and histopathological diagnosis in the setting of leprosy is discussed. more...