European standard series patch test results in contact dermatitis patients in a tertiary care hospital
Ersoy Acer
Abstract
Dermatitis Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital C ontact dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disease in- duced by external agents. Two major types are irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) and allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). The most common contact dermatitis is ICD and approximately 20% of all contact dermatitis are ACD. ACD arises from type 4 hypersensitivity reaction to allergens. ACD occurs in vulnerable people who have been sensitized in the past. Patch testing determines the responsible allergens that are used for the diagnosis of ACD. the most common allergens, nickel sulfate and cobalt chloride are frequently found in metal objects, potassium dichromate in cement and leather products, textile dye mix in textile products and balsam of Peru and fragrance mix in cosmetics. ntact sensitization is influenced by atopy, age, gender, personal risk factors, environmental exposure, genetic, geographical, occupational and socio-economic factors. It varies among societies and even also in different regions of the same country. On the other hand, the most common responsible allergens of ACD may even change over Objectives: Sensitization of allergens varies among societies and also it is influenced by various factors, such as age and gender. It may even change over the years. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the patch test results in patients with contact dermatitis (CD) in our center. Methods: European standard series patch test results of patients with CD between 2017 and 2018 were evaluated retrospectively. Results: Of the 135 patients, 65 (48.1%) were males, 70 (51.9%) were females. The mean age of patients was 41.4314.26 (11-78) years. In 78 (57.8%) patients, a positive reaction against at least one allergen was detected. The most common allergens were nickel sulfate (27.4%), potassium dichromate (14.8%), cobalt chloride (11.9%), textile dye mix (8.1%), fragrance mix i, ii (6.7%) and balsam of Peru (4.4%). The sensitization of nickel sulfate was higher in females and sensitization of cobalt chloride and potassium dichromate in males (p=0.03, 0.05, 0.03, respectively). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, age was independently related to a positive reaction against at least one allergen. Conclusion: Nickel sulfate, potassium dichromate, cobalt chloride and textile dye mix were the most common allergens. Legal regulations should be made to decrease exposure to allergens.