In collaboration with practising dermatologists factors in a patient's environment relevant to hand eczema are studied. Also characteristics of patients with no external factors causing their hand eczema is examined.
The study is a three year project which includes patients with hand eczema seen by dermatologists. Patients are included on first contact. The severity and clinical type of hand eczema is established according to a visual guide developed for the project.
Every six months patients fill out a questionnaire on their hand eczema and record the severity of eczema on basis of the visual guide. After a year the patients and their hand eczema are re-assessed by a doctor or a nurse.
Patients are also offered to be tested for lack of filaggrin. The result will be compared with the prognosis, severity, aetiology and clinical type of hand eczema.
In relation to the project a guideline on hand eczema classification and diagnosing has been produced.
The project is carried out by a specialist in dermatology, Professor Niels Veien in collaboration with Research Nurse Anne Marie Topp and Professor Jeanne Duus Johansen from the National Allergy Research Centre and the Danish Contact Dermatitis Group.
