Standard Patch Test Results in Patients with Contact Dermatitis / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: A number of skin manifestations in patients with allergic contact dermatitis result from sensitization with specific allergens. The patch test is a primary diagnostic tool for identifying allergens causing allergic contact dermatitis. OBJECTIVE: We identified the results of patch test with Korean standard series in patients with clinically diagnosed with contact dermatitis, and evaluated the specific relationship with each allergen. METHODS: During a 5-year period, 743 patients were examined with patch test of standard Korean series. The results of patch test were then evaluated. Location of the skin lesion, age, sex, and occupation of the patients were completely reviewed. RESULTS: Overall, 68.5% of patients had at least one positive reaction and 43.6% of patients had two or more positive reactions. Allergens most frequently causing positive reactions were nickel sulfate (27.1%), cobalt chloride (22.1%), potassium dichromate (17.9%), mercuric ammonium chloride (13.8%), and 4-phenyledediamine base (10.2%). Those patients in their 10s and 40s showed the highest rate of positive reaction. Metal allergens displayed higher positive rates than any other standard allergens. Of 201 patients who showed positive reaction to nickel, 37.8% and 27.3% of them also showed positive reaction to cobalt and chromium, respectively, representing concomitant reactions between metal-related antigens. In addition, polysensitization to cosmetics-related antigens including balsam peru and fragnance mix was evident. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in overall positive rate in patch test results compared with recent studies. However, we confirmed that metal-related allergens remain most common, and that multiple contact allergy were relatively common.

A Study of the Results of Patch Test in Patients with Contact Dermatitis / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: More than 10 years have passed since the second multicenter study on standard patch test were carried out in Korea (1986-1993) and an update is needed. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the type, frequency and changes of the common contact allergens in Korea. METHODS: Standard patch tests were performed using Finn chamber on Scanpor tape on in-patients and out-patients with contact dermatitis from January 2000 to July 2006. Epidemiologic findings of patients and the results of the patch tests were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 528 patch tested cases (male 135, female 393) were compiled and analyzed. The highest age distribution was 5th decade in males and 3rd decade in females. Patients' employment background showed that housewives and office-workers were the most frequently expected jobs consisting 32.4% and 15.2% respectively. The face, including eyelid and lip, was the most frequently affected site comprising 61.2%. The highest sensitization rates were found with : nickel (31.1%), neomycin (9.3%), cobalt (6.4%) and potassium (6.3%). The lowest positivity included : Me-Cl-Isothiazolinone (0.4%), 7-mercaptobenzothiazole (0.8%), black rubber mix (0.8%) and wool alcohol (0.8%). While nickel and neomycin showed increased reacitivities, formaldehyde, fragrance mix and colophony showed a decreased tendency when compared with those of other previous studies. CONCLUSION: These results provide the basis for the presumption of the route of allergen exposure and prevention of contact dermatitis in Korea.

The Frequency of Irritant and Lost Reactions in the Standard Patch Test / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: The patcl test is widely used for diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis. However, it is sometimes difficiilt or even impossihle to differentiate between allergic and irritant reactions in patch test readings. The achievernent of valid results from the patch test require intelligent and careful patch testing and physirians with skills and experiences. OBJECTIVE: The purpos of this study was to assess the frequency, age and sex distr ibution, and the seasonal variatioii of irritant. and lost reactions in standard patch tests. METHODS: Patch test records of day 2 and day 4 were reviewed and analysed. Frequency of inritant and lost reactions were analysed by allergen, age, sex and season. RESULTS: A total 212 c ses of standard patch test records(male 69, female 143) were analysed. The results were as follovs ; 1. The over all frequency of lost reactions in the standard patch test were 33.5 percents and that of irritant reactions were 8.0 percents. 2. The frequency of lost reactions was lower in the age groups under twenty(7.7%) than in the older age groups(35.5%). However, there was no significant difference between the age groups over the third dec ide. 3. The seasonal variation was evident in lost reactions. The order of frequency was summer(45.0% ), winter(33.7% ), spring and fall(2l.1% ). 4. The order of frequency of lost reactions in the stclndard patch allergen was captan(5.7%), potassium dichromate(5.2%), cobalt chloride(4.7%), mercury amrnoniurn chloride(3.8%) c3lld wool alcohol(3.8%). CONCLUSION: Our result, show a relatively high frequency of lost and irritant. reaction in the standird patch test, and uggest second readings in the patch test would he of value.