Path test reactions to the Chinese Standard Screening Allergens in 1,135 patients investigated for allergic contact dermatitis.

BACKGROUND

The patch test has become the standard method of investigating patients with allergic contact dermatitis. Many countries have developed standard screening allergens to make patch testing more efficient. A series of the Chinese Standard Screening Allergens were studied and modified.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the frequency of contact allergies in suspected allergic contact dermatitis and tested the practicality of the Chinese Standard Screening Patch Test Allergens.

METHODS

A total of 1,135 patients suspected of having allergic contact dermatitis were patch tested. Three hundred twelve (27.5%) were men, and their age ranged from 2 to 75 years old (mean age, 34.3 years), 823 (72.5%) were women, and their age ranged from 2 to 76 years old (mean age, 33.0 years). Nanjing Medical University supplied the Chinese Standard Screening Allergens and Finn-Chamber. All patients were patch tested according to the Chinese Standard Screening Patch Test Allergens with Finn-Chamber the protocol as established by the International Contact Dermatitis Research Group (ICDRG).

RESULTS

From the 1,135 patients suspected to have allergic contact dermatitis, 650 (57.3%) had at least one positive reaction. Nineteen (95%) of the Chinese Standard Screening Patch Test Allergens had positive reactions higher than 1%. Of 485 patients with negative reaction to the Standard Allergens, 106 patients were tested with other suspected contactants according to history. Thirty-nine (36.8%) had positive reactions to the contactants they provided. The total positive rate therefore increased by 3.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study results indicate that the Chinese Standard Screening Patch Test Allergens are suitable for use in routine clinic in China.