Clinical Associate Professor
Charlotte Gotthard Mørtz
Department of Dermato-Venereology and Allergy Centre, Odense University Hospital
| Project management | ||
| Project status | Closed | |
| Data collection dates | ||
| Start | 01.03.2010 | |
| End | 31.12.2013 | |
TOACS Cohort - A follow-up study of Course and Development of Atopic Dermatitis, Hand Eczema
Short summary
Hand eczema is a common skin disease with a one-year period prevalence around 10% in the general population 1 and a lifetime prevalence of approximately 17%. Hand eczema is often a chronic recurrent disease with major consequences for the patient with long lasting treatment, affecting daily life and ability to work.
Rationale
In exposed occupations (e.g. nurses, cleaners) the frequency is increases up to 30%. The prevalence is double in women compared to men. Hand eczema is a multifactorial disease caused by irritants, often in combination with contact allergy and endogenous factors. Hand eczema is one of the 3 most common occupational diseases in Denmark. The number of notified occupational skin diseases is approximately
17.000 per year, and they rank 1st among all recognized occupational diseases.
Aim- To estimate the prevalence of hand eczema (allergic, irritant, endogenous) and contact allergy among young adults.
- To investigate the association between present hand eczema/contact allergy and previous atopic dermatitis, inhalant allergy, contact allergy and hand eczema.
- To investigate the association between present hand exzema/contact allergy and occupation, wet and dry work and use of gloves.
- To evaluate if the risk of hand eczema is increased among young adults with both hand exposed occupation in adulthood and atopic dermatitis/inhalant allergy/hand eczema/contact allergy in childhood.
- To evaluate if the degree of nickel allergy in childhood is associated to later development of hand eczema.
- To investigate if the skin barrier function in adolescence can predict later development of hand eczema.
- To follow the course and development of atopic diseases, eczema and allergic contact dermatitis among those with positive allergy tests in adolescence without known clinical relevance in school age.
Method
A letter with information about the study, a consent form and a questionnaire is sent to all individuals from the TOACS population (n=1254). All who agree to participate in phase 3 receive a patch test (TRUE testR standard and nickel dilution series) to put on the back at home. Test readings are done at day 3 by the investigator or the allergy nurse from the project group. Furthermore, a clinical examination for skin disease is offered together with a blood test for IgE analyses and skin prick tests that are performed according to current guidelines. The blood sample and skin prick tests are tested for inhalant allergens, food allergens, malassezia furfur and latex.
The participants are examined preferably at the Department of Dermatology, Odense University Hospital. The participants will receive the results of the patch test and skin prick test. The clinical examination for each participant will take approximately 45 minutes.
The data will be entered twice in the database and merged with the primary TOACS-database. Data will be validated in relation to content and completeness for possible selective follow-up mechanisms. The relative risk for developing hand eczema and contact allergy in the different groups in relation to pre-defined exposure categories are estimated in crude, stratified and controlled regression analysis with thorough investigation of possible confounding and effect modification.
Description of the cohort
The TOACS-cohort (The Odense Adolescents Cohort Study) was established in Odense in 1995 and consist of 1501 8th grade school children (average age 14.1 years) in 40 of 43 schools in the municipality of Odense. The cohort was examinated for the first time in 8th grade to evaluate the prevalence of eczema and allergy before the adolescents leave school (phase 1). Furthermore, selected groups was re-examinated in 9th grade (phase 2). Follow-up studies (phase 3) are now taking place.
Data and biological material
All young adults from the cohort who are interested in participating will be re-examinated (phase 3). There will be a clinical examination, drawn blood samples (IgE analyzation, allergy test), patch test and skin prick test for inhalant allergens, food allergens and latex. All clinical data are held in The Danish Data Archives and will be linkage from there.
Collaborating researchers and departments
Department of Dermatology and Allergy Centre, Odense University Hospital
- Clinical Associate Professor Charlotte Gotthard Mørtz, MD, PhD
- Professor Klaus Ejner Andersen, DMSc
- Professor Carsten Bindslev-Jensen DMSc
- Jens Martin Lauritsen, MD, PhD
Publications associated with the project