Seasonal Variation in Patch Test Results with European Baseline Series.

Aïcha Brahem,Haifa Aroui,Olfa Elmaalel,Houda Kalboussi,Maher Maoua,Souhail Chatti,Asma Chouchene,Asma Aloui,Nejib Mrizek,Faten Dabbabi,Asma Gaddour,Imen Kacem,Markus Stucker

doi:10.1155/2020/8316753

Abstract

Aim To study the influence of season on patch tests results. Methods We conducted a retrospective epidemiological study which concerned all the patients of the Tunisian center, who consulted in the Dermato-Allergology Unit of Occupational Medicine Department of Farhat Hached University Hospital-Sousse (Tunisia) over a period of 07 years. All the patients were tested by the European Standard Battery allergens (BSE). Results The data of 1000 patch tests were analyzed during the study period. More than half of the patch tests (58.6%) was positive. In winter, 63% of patch tests showed a positive reaction versus 52% of patch tests in summer without a statistically significant association. However, results of lanolin alcohols, epoxy resin, and Sesquiterpene lactone mix varied significantly with season. Atopy was significantly associated with 18.8% of positive reactions in winter and only with 5.2% of positive reactions in summer (p = 0.015). Conclusion Seasonal variations in patch tests results were more significant with some allergens of European Standard Battery and in atopic patients.

Highlights

Patch test is the gold standard diagnostic procedure for type IV sensitizations; it enables allergen avoidance and promotes secondary prevention of allergic contact dermatitis
E allergens with highest frequency of positive reactions were metals in 60% of cases followed by rubber chemicals in 10.5% of cases and preservatives in 9.6% of cases
63% of patch tests showed a positive reaction versus 52% of patch tests in summer (Figure 1) without a statistically significant association (p 0.10)

Summary

Introduction

Patch test is the gold standard diagnostic procedure for type IV sensitizations; it enables allergen avoidance and promotes secondary prevention of allergic contact dermatitis. E relevance of patch tests results depends on several factors: individual (atopy, skin irritation, etc) and external (ultraviolet exposure, drugs, season, etc) [2]. Previous studies focused on a potential inhibition of patch test reactions caused by ultraviolet exposure [3,4,5,6,7] which is known to protect the skin from contact dermatitis by suppressing the immune reaction and increasing the barrier function of the skin [8]. Other clinical and experimental studies have found increased reactivity to patch tests in relation to winter conditions [9,10,11]. Low ambient temperature and humidity might diminish epidermal barrier function, leading to overall increased irritability and patch test reactivity [1]

Methods

Results

Conclusion