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

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Contact dermatitis; European standard series; nickel sulfate; patch test; potassium dichromate; textile dye mix.