CARPE: a registry project of the German Dermatological Society (DDG) for the characterization and care of chronic hand eczema.

BACKGROUND

The aim of the CARPE (German acronym: Chronisches Handekzem-Register zum Patienten-Langzeitmanagement; meaning: chronic hand eczema registry on long-term patient management) registry is to investigate characteristics and treatment modalities in patients affected by chronic hand eczema in Germany.

METHODS

The registry was built up under the auspices of the German Dermatological Society (Deutsche Dermatologische Gesellschaft, DDG). Patients with chronic hand eczema are prospectively assessed by dermatological examination and patient questionnaire. Socio-economic data and data on diagnostics, skin status, severity and treatment of chronic hand eczema and atopy criteria are repeatedly assessed. Here, we present baseline characteristics of the first 515 patients.

RESULTS

53.8 % of the patients were female, mean age was 47.3 years. The average duration of CHE was 7.7 years. 30.4 % had already received inpatient care, 31.2 % had been on sick leave in the past 12 months. 94.5 % had received topical corticosteroids prior to inclusion in the registry, 31.9 % topical calcineurin inhibitors, 38.3 % UV therapy, 28.6 % systemic antihistamines, 36.5 % systemic treatments, 14.9 % systemic corticosteroids, 25.8 % systemic retinoids.

CONCLUSIONS

The CARPE project demonstrates the high medical burden and therapeutic challenge of chronic hand eczema and presents first data for health care research. Furthermore, the designed follow-up study will present important data about the natural history and prognosis of this chronic skin disease.