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Background: Mainly women work as foot care specialists (FCS). They are at risk to develop occupational dermatitis (OD). Objectives: The objective of this study is to describe the contact sensitisation pattern of female FCS with OD. Methods: In a retrospective study, patch test and clinical data collected by the Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK) from 2008 to 2022 were analysed. Data of 116 female FCS with OD were compared with data of 13 930 female patients with OD working in other professions and 78 612 female patients without OD. Results: Hand dermatitis (93.1%) was significantly more common and face dermatitis (0.9%) significantly less common in female FCS with OD compared to other female patients with or without OD. Frequent suspected allergen sources were disinfectants, gloves, leave‐on and nail cosmetics. Occlusion and wetness were important co‐factors. The most common diagnoses were irritant contact dermatitis (26.7%) and allergic contact dermatitis (21.6%). No sensitisation to any of the baseline series allergens was significantly more frequent in female FCS with OD than in the two control groups. However, sensitisations to allergens which FCS are abundantly exposed to, including fragrances, preservatives, rubber ingredients and disinfectants, were most common. Conclusions: FCS should be aware of the OD risk and prevention should be promoted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Summary: Background: Chronic pruritus is a clinically heterogeneous symptom that manifests itself with varying duration, intensity, or quality. To date, there is no validated German‐language instrument that systematically assesses the relevant parameters. With the support of the Pruritus Research Working Group (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Pruritusforschung, AGP), a questionnaire for the assessment of chronic pruritus (AGP questionnaire) was developed in 2008. The subsequently revised instrument, now called the German Pruritus Questionnaire, records pruritus‐specific parameters such as localization, course, intensity and quality, anamnestic data on the general state of health, sociodemographic data, quality of life, and coping methods. It is to be validated in the study presented here. Patients and methods: The questionnaire was used in 366 patients with chronic pruritus of different etiologies from Germany (University Hospitals Heidelberg, Münster, Mainz, Erlangen, Giessen, private practice Bad Bentheim, TU Munich, Wiesbaden Kidney Center), Austria (Graz University Hospital) and Switzerland (Aarau Cantonal Hospital). Results: The reliability for repeated completion (retest reliability) with regard to localization, first occurrence, and concomitant diseases showed high values for Cohen's kappa (> 0.8). The data on the retest reliability of the pruritus characteristics showed lower values (< 0.7). With regard to the measurability of practically relevant changes (change sensitivity), medium to strong effect sizes were found (0.09–0.19). A statistically significant differentiation of the pruritus etiologies based on the recorded parameters was not possible. Conclusions: The German Pruritus Questionnaire allows a comprehensive and structured recording of patient‐ and clinician‐reported, relevant dimensions of chronic pruritus of different etiologies. Further adaptation and development are planned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: EU Commission Regulation 2017/1410 prohibits using atranol and chloroatranol, the main allergens in Evernia prunastri (oakmoss), and hydroxyisohexyl 3‐cyclohexene carboxaldehyde (HICC) in cosmetic products. Oakmoss absolute is contained in fragrance mix (FM) I and HICC in FM II which are patch tested as screening mixtures in the baseline series. Objective: To describe the time trends of reaction frequencies to both FMs as well as to their components in FM‐positive patients. Methods: Retrospective analysis of data from the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK), 2012–2021. Results: Positive reactions to FM I (FM II) declined from 9.1% (4.7%) in 2012 to 4.6% (3.0%) in 2021. Full breakdown tests were performed in 24% (FM I) and 31% (FM II), respectively, of the mix‐positive patients. From this data, frequencies of sensitization to the 14 single fragrances of FM I and FM II were calculated. For the majority, a decline was noted from 2012/2013 to 2020/2021, for oakmoss absolute 1.9%–0.8% and for HICC 1.8%–0.9%. Conclusion: EU Commission Regulation 2017/1410 was an effective measure. However, our data have some limitations, possibly causing underestimation of sensitization frequencies to fragrances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Due to limited availability of commercial test preparations, patch testing patient's own material (POM) is of great importance to diagnose occupational allergic contact dermatitis. Objectives: To assess the quality of performance and documentation of patch testing with POM in patients with suspected occupational skin diseases (OSD) in Germany. Methods: Retrospective‐prospective analysis of protocols of patch tests with POM was conducted between 2013 and 2021 in patients with suspected OSD and submitted to statutory accident insurance institutions. Assessments were done by predefined criteria. Results: Three thousand and four patch tests with POM from 460 patients were included. A full description of the POM was provided in 73.3% of all tests. The test concentration, test vehicle and pH value were documented in 74.3%, 70.5% and 42.2% of tests, for which the respective parameters were considered relevant. One hundred and sixty‐one positive reactions to POM were documented. In 72%, sufficient patch testing with commercial test substances was conducted to investigate the positive reaction. In 30.4%, consecutive patch testing of all ingredients of the POM was done. Conclusions: The results not only show considerable shortcomings mainly in documentation but also to some extent performance of patch tests with POM in patients with suspected OSD in Germany. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hintergrund: Das chronische Handekzem (CHE) ist eine sehr häufige Hauterkrankung in der europäischen Bevölkerung. Es verursacht Juckreiz und Schmerzen und beeinträchtigt in schwereren Fällen die Funktion der Hände bei der Arbeit und im Privatleben erheblich. Ziele: Perspektiven von Menschen zu erforschen, die mit CHE leben, und deren Probleme, Wünsche und Ziele zu verstehen. Methoden: Wir folgten einem qualitativen Ansatz und führten themengeführte Interviews in fünf europäischen Ländern durch. Wir verwendeten eine Template-Analyse, um wiederkehrende Themen bei Patienten mit CHE zu identifizieren. Ergebnisse: Wir befragten 60 Patienten in sieben ambulanten dermatologischen und arbeitsmedizinischen Kliniken in Kroatien, Dänemark, Deutschland, den Niederlanden und Spanien. Es wurden fünf Hauptthemen identifiziert: (1) Wissen über die Krankheit und ihren Verlauf, (2) präventives Verhalten, (3) Therapie des Handekzems, (4) Auswirkungen auf den Alltag und (5) Einstellungen gegenüber dem CHE und der Gesundheitsversorgung. Die Teilnehmer fühlten sich nicht gut über CHE informiert, insbesondere über die Ursachen, Auslöser und Behandlungsmöglichkeiten. Vorbeugende Maßnahmen wurden als mehr oder weniger wirksam, aber auch als umständlich empfunden. Die Erfahrungen mit der Therapie waren vielfältig. Die Behandlungszufriedenheit hing von den erreichten Ergebnissen und der wahrgenommenen Unterstützung durch die Behandlungsteams ab. Die Teilnehmer fanden es wichtig, ernst genommen zu werden, praktische Ratschläge zu erhalten, zusätzliche Behandlungen oder Untersuchungen auszuprobieren, neue Hoffnung zu schöpfen und berufliche Perspektiven zu haben. Sie wünschten sich, dass andere die körperliche und emotionale Belastung durch das CHE besser verstehen könnten. Patientenunterstützungsgruppen wurden nicht erwähnt. Die Teilnehmer fanden es wichtig, zu lernen, mit dem Ekzem umzugehen, und das Leben mit CHE zu akzeptieren. Schlussfolgerungen: Aufgrund der lästigen Symptome, der hohen Sichtbarkeit und der Beeinträchtigung der Hände bei der Arbeit und im Privatleben hat das CHE eine hohe emotionale und soziale Wirkung. Manche Menschen benötigen möglicherweise Unterstützung, um den Umgang mit dem CHE und dessen Prävention zu erlernen. Patienten wünschen sich Informationen über Ursachen und Auslöser. Sie schätzen Ärzte, die ihnen zuhören und immer wieder nach Lösungen suchen. © 2023 Die Autoren. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, veröffentlicht von John Wiley & Sons Ltd im Auftrag der European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Summary: Background: Eczema herpeticum (EH) is a disseminated skin infection caused by herpes simplex virus in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients. The frequency of EH and the clinical features of EH patients have not yet been investigated in a larger cohort. Methods: We sought to investigate the TREATgermany cohort, a multicenter, non‐interventional clinical registry of moderately to severely affected AD patients in Germany. Baseline characteristics of patients included between December 2017 and April 2021 were compared between patients without, single, and multiple EH. Results: Of the 893 patients, 195 (21.8%) had at least one EH. Of the 195 patients with EH, 107 had multiple EH (54.9%), representing 12.0% of the total study population. While there were no differences in demographic characteristics, previous treatment, and disease scores at enrollment (itch, IGA, oSCORAD, EASI), patients with EH had more frequent atopic comorbidities and sensitizations to house dust mite, food, and mold. Discussion: TREATgermany registry data suggest a high prevalence and recurrence rate of EH, while there appears to be no specific clinical phenotype, besides an increase in allergies, to identify EH patients in the daily routine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Summary: Background: TREATgermany is a multicenter registry including patients with moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis (AD) from currently 74 study centers (university clinics, hospitals and practices) in Germany. As of August 31, 2021, 1,230 adult patients were enrolled. Methods: In TREATgermany, patients and physicians fill in questionnaires pertaining to symptoms, disease severity, quality of life, depressiveness, and fatigue. In particular, limitations in work performance are assessed using the Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ). To assess associations between occupational performance/work limitations and symptoms, correlations and regression models were calculated. Results: The examined sample of 228 employed patients reported an average of 6% at‐work productivity loss within the past two weeks prior to enrolment in the registry. The WLQ productivity loss score was moderately associated with itch (r = 0.32) and sleep loss (r = 0.39) and strongly associated with depressive symptoms (r = 0.68) and fatigue (r = 0.60). Conclusions: The analyses of the registry data show that moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis has a negative impact on the work productivity of the patients. The analyses further point out the relevant associations between work productivity, depressive symptoms, and fatigue highlighting the disease burden caused by the psychological components of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]