Comparison of European Standard Patch Test Results of 330 Patients from an Occupational Diseases Hospital

European Standard Series Patch Test Results in Contact Dermatitis Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital

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 41.43±14.26 (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.

Contact dermatitis: Clinical practice findings from a single tertiary referral hospital, a 4-Year retrospective study

BACKGROUND

It is estimated that 20% of the general population is sensitized to some kind of contact allergen. Contact dermatitis is one of the major occupational diseases worldwide. This disease has a higher prevalence in the female gender and is more frequently observed in the third or fourth decade of life. The main objective of this study was to describe the main sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients with contact dermatitis treated in the Allergy Unit of the San Juan De Dios Hospital - Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social.

METHODS

Clinical records of contact dermatitis outpatients from a single hospital were analyzed, in a 4-year retrospective observational study.

RESULTS

At the time of the patch testing, patients showed a mean age of 42.2 years. Disease frequency was higher in the female population (female/male ratio of 4.2:1) and in patients mostly dedicated to household workchores. Most patients presented several years of disease history, and the hands were the highest affected body part. Patch testing revealed that nickel sulfate, Cl+Me-Isothiazolinone (Kathon CG), and thimerosal were allergens regularly associated with contact dermatitis in the analyzed population.

CONCLUSIONS

To a great extent, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics identified in these patients resemble what is reported in other regions, including the Americas and worldwide. It is worth highlighting a high female proportion rate probably related to cultural aspects, a smaller percentage of irritant contact dermatitis that may be associated to institutional patient management, and a slight difference in the most common allergens when compared to other published studies.