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Hand eczema classification: a cross-sectional, multicentre study of the aetiology and morphology of hand eczema |
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| Authors: | T.L. Diepgen,K.E. Andersen,F.M. Brandao&dagger ,M. Bruze&Dagger ,D.P. Bruynzeel§ ,P. Frosch¶ ,M. Gonç alo,A. Goossens&dagger &dagger ,C.J. Le Coz&Dagger &Dagger ,T. Rustemeyer§ ,I.R. White§ § , T Agner¶ ¶ |
| Affiliation: | Department of Social Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Dermatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Thibautstr. 3, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Dermatology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Department of Dermatology, Hospital Garcia de Orta, Almanda, Portugal; Department of Occupational and Environmental Dermatology, MalmöUniversity Hospital and Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Department of Dermatology, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Dermatology, Klinikum Dortmund and University of Witten/Herdecke, Dortmund, Germany; Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Coimbra, Portugal; Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, K. U. Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Strasbourg, France; Department of Cutaneous Allergy, St Thomas' Hospital, London, U.K.; Department of Dermatology, University of Copenhagen, Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Dermatology, University of Copenhagen, Roskilde Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark |
| Abstract: | Background Hand eczema is a long-lasting disease with a high prevalence in the background population. The disease has severe, negative effects on quality of life and sometimes on social status. Epidemiological studies have identified risk factors for onset and prognosis, but treatment of the disease is rarely evidence based, and a classification system for different subdiagnoses of hand eczema is not agreed upon. Randomized controlled trials investigating the treatment of hand eczema are called for. For this, as well as for clinical purposes, a generally accepted classification system for hand eczema is needed. Objectives The present study attempts to characterize subdiagnoses of hand eczema with respect to basic demographics, medical history and morphology. Methods Clinical data from 416 patients with hand eczema from 10 European patch test clinics were assessed. Results A classification system for hand eczema is proposed. Conclusions It is suggested that this classification be used in clinical work and in clinical trials. |
| Keywords: | classification hand eczema subdiagnosis |