Epidemiological and clinical data for allergic contact dermatitis in Kosovo during 2010-2020

Abstract

Bajram ABDULLAHU, Monika BELBA

Introduction: Allergic Contact Dermatitis is a form of eczema or dermatitis on the skin which appears as a delayed-type IV hypersensitivity reaction that manifests 48-72 hours after exposure to the allergen (low molecular weight chemical) with social, psychological, occupational, and familial by having an impact on the patient’s quality of life.

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to show the epidemiological and clinical situation of Allergic Contact Dermatitis in Kosovo by identifying the most at-risk patients. Patients and Methods: The study is of a retrospective cohort, clinical-analytical type. The study population consists of 1201 pediatric, adult, and elderly patients who presented to the Allergy Clinic, University Hospital Center (UHCK), and the AllergyAsthma Specialist Office in Prishtina, Kosovo with suspicion of Contact Dermatitis and from which 536 were diagnosed with ACD during 2010-2020.

Results: Of the 355 cases, 59 patients were male (11.03%) and 477 were female (88.97%). The youngest patient in the study was 1 year old and the oldest was 85 years of age. The most common allergens from our study are Nickel sulphate 5% in 404 cases (57.7%), P-phenyl diamine 1% in 97 cases (13.86%), Cobalt chloride 1% in 46 cases (6.57%), Potassio Bicromato 0.5% in 23 cases (3.29%), Thiuram-mix in 19 cases (2.7%), Paraben mix 16% in 13 cases (1.86%).

Conclusion: 12% of patients who come to the Allergy Clinic for skin problems have Allergic Dermatitis Contact and Prevalence to have a positive result in at least one allergen is high 44.6%. The most affected age group is 25-29 years (102 cases or 19.3% of cases with Allergic Contact Dermatitis). For each year of increasing age, the likelihood of Allergic Contact Dermatitis increases by a factor of 1.01; the presence of allergic diseases increases the likelihood by a factor of 0.511, the female gender has a 3,084 times greater risk of contracting Allergic Contact Dermatitis in a lifetime.

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