Portrait
The IVDK from 1988 to today
The Information Network of Departments of Dermatology for recording and scientific analysis of contact allergies (IVDK) was founded in 1988 as a multicentre project with the participation of initially 8 university skin clinics in the Federal Republic of Germany. The head office of the project was established at the University Skin Clinic Göttingen. At present, 56 skin clinics cooperate in the IVDK. The project was funded from 1988 to 1993 by the then Federal Ministry of Research and Technology (BMFT) within the framework of the “Epidemiology of Allergies” programme. Since 1994, the IVDK has been supported by a non-profit association, which initially called “Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Erforschung und Prävention beruflich und außerberuflich bedingter allergischer Erkrankungen e.V.”. (G.E.P.A.)" and 2004 renamed itself into “IVDK e.V.”.
The clinical epidemiological monitoring function of the IVDK rests on the following pillars
- Recording of certain anamnestic data and results of the epicutaneous testing of all patients tested in a clinic in routine operation Collecting of the results of the epicutaneous testing of all patients tested in a clinic in routine operation>Collecting of the results of the epicutaneous testing in routine operation> Recording of certain anamnestic data and results of the epicutaneous testing of all patients tested in a clinic in routine operation> Recording of the results of the epicutaneous test in routine operation
- Semi-annual transmission of data to the IVDK headquarters in Göttingen
- Quality control and evaluation of the data in the IVDK headquarters, Institute at the University of Göttingen
The fact that the data acquisition is integrated into the routine operation of the clinics - the system is well suited for the usual clinical documentation - results in a high acceptance of the acquisition system, which has a positive effect on the data quality. The first patients were recorded in November 1989. The results are published in specialist journals and at congresses to support these dermatologists and allergologists in their goal of reducing the number of allergic diseases and thus protecting the health of the population from harm. In the following overview article the background of the IVDK monitoring system is presented in more detail:
Tasks of the IVDK
- The IVDK is a clinical-epidemiological monitoring system that generates data and information necessary for the prevention of contact allergies through continuous monitoring.
- members are dermatological clinics in the German-speaking area in Germany, Switzerland and Austria
- Data from all epicutaneously tested patients are collected with the WinAlldat Net software and evaluated in the IVDK center, currently about 10,000 patients quality-assured per year
- The results (534 publications from the cooperation of IVDK and DKG, status 11/2019) are published in scientific journals. They also serve to advise regulatory authorities, trade associations, industry and the media. The publications and consultations are intended to support these institutions in their goal of reducing the number of allergic diseases and thus protecting the health of the population from harm .
- Cooperation with the German Contact Allergy Group e.V. (DKG), List of DKG test series
Involved Departments, Recorded Patients
When the IVDK was founded in 1988, 8 university skin clinics were involved. In 1992, a further 7 skin clinics were added to the IVDK as part of the BMFT project. In the following years several further dermatological departments joined the IVDK. A total of 56 centres are active in the IVDK (as of November 2019). All participating clinics are members of the German Contact Allergy Group (DKG) in the German Dermatological Society (DDG). Approximately 10,000 patients per year are recorded under quality assurance.
In November 2019, the anamnestic and clinical data as well as the test results of approximately 310,000 patients and cases were stored in the central database of the IVDK.
Scientific Work
A total of 534 publication in scientific journals by November 2019 resulted from the cooperation between IVDK and DKG. In addition, results of the IVDK were presented at numerous conferences and congresses in lectures or posters.
For detailed information please contact the IVDK staff.