Improved Investigator Global Assessment, Allergic Contact Dermatitis-11, Dermatology Life Quality Index, and Global Quality of Life and Severity Scores after Patch Testing in Dermatitis Patients.

Background

Contact dermatitis is a common chronic skin condition affecting quality of life (QoL). Patch testing is a key diagnostic process used in identifying allergens responsible for allergic contact dermatitis (ACD).

Objective

To investigate the impact of patch testing on QoL outcomes.

Methods

This IRB-approved registry included demographics, clinical findings, investigator global assessments (IGAs), and patch test results. QoL questionnaires (ACD-11, global severity and QoL assessments, Dermatology Life Quality Index [DLQI]) prior to and 2-6 months following patch testing were analyzed with Stata® software.

Results

From 2018 to 2025, 1246 patients underwent patch testing and received pre-patch questionnaires; 548 patients had additional post-patch test assessments. Post-patch testing, IGA, global assessments of patients' self-reported QoL and skin severity, DLQI, aggregate and domain-specific ACD-11 assessments significantly improved (P < 0.0001). Median time to assessment was 94 days (interquartile range 77, 113). Patch patients, regardless of sex, race, ethnicity, duration of symptoms, atopic dermatitis history, total relevant allergens, number of allergens recalled, or body locations of involvement, demonstrated significant improvements in QoL (P < 0.0001). Improved IGA was associated with ACD diagnosis and younger age. 61.4% of patients correctly recalled all their culprit allergens.

Conclusion

Patch testing provided benefit to patients in multiple physician and patient-reported outcome measures. Patients had a higher rate of allergen recollection than previously reported.