Portrait, Background
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:
Scientific background
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.
Interesting facts about contact allergies
About 20% of the population has a contact allergy. In the course of a 7% of the population will develop allergic contact dermatitis. allergic contact dermatitis, which manifests itself with itchy reddened skin, inflammation, blisters and weeping erosions. Such eczema eczema is very stressful for those affected; it stigmatises and limits their quality of life, and - in the case of a contact allergy to an occupational allergy to an occupational substance - it can lead to the loss of a job. Contact allergy is also important for the national economy. Occupational occupational skin diseases, mostly contact eczema, are the most reported occupational top of the list of reported occupational diseases. The costs arising in this connection are costs are estimated at over 100 million euros per year. In contrast to other allergies, e.g. to the respiratory tract, contact allergy is not curable. contact allergy is not curable. There is no causal therapy, no hyposensitisation. Those affected have to strictly avoid their contact allergens contact allergens for the rest of their lives in order to remain eczema-free. To do this, they must know their allergens and their occurrence. So that as few people as possible people become sensitised, i.e. get a contact allergy in the first place, is prevention is important. In products for daily use as well as in as well as in products used at work should contain as few allergens as possible products should contain as few allergens as possible in as low a concentration as possible. However, it is not always possible to avoid the use of allergenic substances, especially in a professional context. the use of allergenic substances. In this case, safe handling of these safe handling of these products is all the more important.