A Clinical Study Including Patch Test of Rosacea Patients / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Rosacea is a relatively common inflammatory skin disease characterized by central facial erythema that persists for several months or longer. Experimental studies have demonstrated that rosacea compromises the epidermal barrier protection against allergens and irritants, rendering rosacea patients susceptible to contact hypersensitivity and skin irritation. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate allergic and irritant reactions to topical agents and cosmetics in rosacea patients using patch tests. METHODS: Rosacea signs and subtypes of 40 patients were recorded and subjective symptoms and clinical experiences related to topical agents and cosmetics were assessed using a questionnaire. Patch tests were performed in these patients using the Korean Standard Series (Chemotechnique Diagnostics, Sweden), the TRUE test® (Mekos Laboratories ApS, Denmark), and 26 selected fragrance and 31 cosmetic antigens (TROLAB, Germany). RESULTS: Of 40 patch-tested patients, 26 (65%) showed at least 1 positive reaction and 13 (32.5%) showed 2 or more positive reactions. The most common allergens were nickel (II) sulfate (50%), cobalt chloride (10%), epoxy resin (7.7%), and thimerosal (7.5%). Thirteen patients (32.5%) experienced irritant patch test reactions. There were no significant differences in allergic or irritant positive reactions between mild, moderate, and severe cases of rosacea or between rosacea subtypes. Irritant reactions were more common in fair-skinned participants. CONCLUSION: Different topical medications are used in the treatment of rosacea patients. Exacerbation of rosacea may be caused by a hypersensitivity reaction or irritation induced by the topical agent or by cosmetics.

Patch Test (T.R.U.E. Test) Results in Patients with Allergic Contact Dermatitis: 2007~2011, Chungcheongnamdo / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: A number of skin manifestations in patients with allergic contact dermatitis result from sensitization with specific allergens, and patch testing is used as a diagnostic means of identifying theses allergens. In Korea, the commercial patch test panel, the TRUE-test, has been available since 2005. However, there have been few reports regarding the results of the TRUE-test. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the type, frequency, and changes in common contact allergens in Korea using the TRUE test. METHODS: A total of 311 patients with allergic contact dermatitis were evaluated by the TRUE test between January 2007 and December 2011 at Soonchunhyang hospital. Patch test reading was performed on day 2 and day 4. RESULTS: A total of 311 cases of TRUE test records (male 79, female 232) were compiled and analyzed. The highest age distribution was the 4th decade in females. The face, with exception of the lips, was the most frequently affected site (40.2%). Overall, 58.8% of patients had at least on positive reaction, and the most common allergens were nickel sulfate (31.8%), p-phenylenediamine (13.5%), cobalt chloride (10.0%), thiomersal (7.4%), and carba mix (5.5%). Nickel allergen displayed higher positive rates than the rates in other countries. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in the overall positive rate of patch test results compared with recent studies. However, we confirmed that metal-related allergens remain the most common, and that the results provide the basis for the use of the TRUE test in patients with contact dermatitis in Korea.

Results of the Patch Test (T.R.U.E. Test) in Patients withAllergic Contact Dermatitis (2005~2010, Kangwon, Yeongseo Province) / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Since 2005, the commercial patch test panel, the TRUE-test, has been available. However, there have been no reports regarding the results of the TRUE-test compared with previously used Korean Standard Series in Korea. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of the contact allergy, causative allergens, and source of allergens in patients who were diagnosed with allergic contact dermatitis, and to compare the findings with previously used Korean Standard Series. METHODS: We reviewed the results of the TRUE-test from 2005~2010 in Wonju Christian Hospital. We patch-tested 843 patients who were diagnosed with allergic contact dermatitis. The patch test reading was performed on day 2 and days 3 or 4, according to the patients' needs. Epidemiologic findings of patients and the results of the patch tests were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 843 patch-tested cases were compiled and analyzed. Of 843 patch-tested patients (male, 309; female, 534), 65.8% had at least 1 positive reaction and 30.2% at least 2 positive reactions. The highest age distribution was the 5th decade in females. The face, with the exception of the eyelids, ears, and lips, was the most frequently affected site (comprising 50.3%). The highest sensitization rates were found with nickel (29.1%), thiomersal (10.9%), and cobalt dichloride (9.7%). The lowest positivity included caine mix (0.7%), mercaptobenzothiazole (1.2%), and quinolone mix (1.2%). Metal allergens displayed higher positive rates than any other standard allergens. The overall prevalence was similar with a recent report in Korea. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in the overall prevalence of the most sensitized allergen compared with the reports about previously used Korean standard series.

TRUE Test in Patients with Contact Dermatitis: A Multicenter Study / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: The TRUE test is a commercially available ready-to-apply patch test widely used in many countries, but no large-scale study is available on the TRUE test in Korea. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the type, frequency, and changes in the common contact allergens in Korea using the TRUE test. METHODS: From January 2009 to March 2010, TRUE tests were performed on patients with contact dermatitis at the Departments of Dermatology of 15 hospitals. The epidemiological findings of patients, and the results of the patch tests were analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 795 patch tested cases (246 males, 549 females) were compiled and analyzed. The oldest age distribution was the third decade in both males and females, and housewives and office-workers were the most common jobs, comprising 29.7% and 19.8% of the occupations, respectively. Overall, 65.1% of patients had at least one positive reaction, and the most common allergens were nickel sulfate (34.1%), thimerosal (12.6%), cobalt chloride (11.1%), and p-phenylenediamine (8.4%), in order of frequency. A univariate analysis of multiple variables including age, gender, occupation, and affected sites was conducted and a comparison with a previous multicenter study was also analyzed. CONCLUSION: These results provide the basis for use of the TRUE test in patients with contact dermatitis in Korea.