Journal
CONTACT DERMATITIS
Volume 62, Issue 5, Pages 289-293Publisher
WILEY-BLACKWELL
DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0536.2010.01702.x
Keywords
epidemiology; patch test; predictive value; questionnaire; sensitivity; specificity
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Funding
- Research Committee of Orebro County
- Asthma and Allergy Associations' Research Foundation
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Objectives: To investigate the validity of self-reported nickel allergy. Methods: Three hundred and sixty-nine women, aged 30-40 years, from the general population participated in the study. The participants answered a questionnaire before a clinical examination and patch testing. The two questions being validated were 'Are you sensitive/hypersensitive/allergic to nickel?' and 'Do you get a rash from metal buttons, jewellery or other metal items that come in direct contact with your skin?' Results: Patch test showed nickel-positive reaction in 30% of the subjects. Self-reported prevalence of nickel allergy as indicated by the two respective questions was 40% and 35%. Positive predictive values for the two questions were 59% (95% CI 50-67) and 60% (95% CI 51-69). History of childhood eczema was over-represented among women with 'false-positive' self-reported nickel allergy (P = 0.008). Self-reported hand eczema or 'high wet exposure' did not influence the validity. Conclusions: The validity of self-reported nickel allergy is low. The questions regarding nickel allergy overestimate the true prevalence of nickel allergy.
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