Volume 171, Issue 3 pp. 609-614
Epidemiology and Health Services Research

Prevalence and incidence of hand eczema in adolescence: report from BAMSE – a population-based birth cohort

C.M. Grönhagen

Corresponding Author

C.M. Grönhagen

Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, SE-171 77 Sweden

Correspondence

Carina Grönhagen.

E-mail: [email protected]

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C. Lidén

C. Lidén

Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, SE-171 77 Sweden

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A. Bergström

A. Bergström

Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, SE-171 77 Sweden

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I. Kull

I. Kull

Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, SE-171 77 Sweden

Department of Clinical Science and Education, Stockholm South General Hospital, Karolinska Institutet and Sachs' Children's Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

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C.-F. Wahlgren

C.-F. Wahlgren

Dermatology Unit, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

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B. Meding

B. Meding

Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, SE-171 77 Sweden

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First published: 17 June 2014
Citations: 27
Funding sources Funding was received from AFA Insurance; Karolinska Institutet; Welander–Finsen Foundation; Swedish Asthma and Allergy Association Research Foundation; Foundation for Health Care Sciences and Allergy Research; Centre for Allergy Research (CfA); Stockholm County Council; and the Swedish Research Council for Working Life and Social Welfare, Sweden.
Conflicts of interest None declared.

Summary

Background

BAMSE is a Swedish population-based birth cohort.

Objectives

To estimate prevalence proportions and the incidence rate of hand eczema in Swedish adolescents, and to compare information given by adolescents and parents. Further aims were to study sex distribution, age at onset and extension of hand eczema.

Methods

At 16 years of age, 2927 adolescents were included in this study; both adolescent and parental questionnaires were used, as well as clinical examination.

Results

The 1-year prevalence of hand eczema was 5·2% (= 152) and 4·0% (= 116) (< 0·03), and lifetime prevalence was 9·7% (= 284) and 7·0% (= 206) (< 0·01), respectively, when adolescents and parents reported. The incidence rate was 573/100 000 person-years according to the adolescent report. The level of agreement between adolescents and parents was fair for 1-year and lifetime prevalence (κ = 0·56 and κ = 0·49, respectively). According to the Hand Eczema Extent Score, 27·0% (= 36) had moderate-to-severe hand eczema.

Conclusions

At the age of 16 years, the 1-year prevalence of hand eczema was substantial, with an incidence rate of the same magnitude as in adults. Female predominance was seen in adolescence. It is preferable that the occurrence of hand eczema is reported by adolescents themselves, as they are the ones most aware of their symptoms.

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