title: Frequency of patch-test positivity in patients with psoriasis: a prospective controlled study.
abstract: Current information on the incidence of patch-test positivity and the spectrum of allergens in psoriatics is conflicting. We compared the rates of patch-test positivity to common allergens and topical medicaments in 200 patients suffering from chronic plaque psoriasis (group I) with 51 patients with other non-allergic skin complaints (group II) and 54 patients suspected of having allergic contact dermatitis (group III). Positive patch-test results to one or more allergens were detected in 21.6% of patients in group I, 23.5% in group II and 50.0% in group III. Psoriatics with > or = 5 years old disease had a higher rate of patch-test positivity than those with shorter disease duration (p<0.01). The site of lesions showed no correlation with patch-test positivity. The commonest allergens showing positivity in group I were dithranol (6.5%), nickel (6%), fragrance mix (5%), neomycin (2%) and nitrofurazone (2%). In spite of the comparable rates of patch-test positivity in psoriatics and general dermatology outpatients, the predominance of sensitivity to topical medicaments and fragrance in the former group was striking. A separate psoriasis series focusing on topical agents may give more accurate information on this subject.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Vivek
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Malhotra
authors.forename: Inderjeet
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kaur
authors.forename: Abir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saraswat
authors.forename: Bhushan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kumar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010328:Patch Tests / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens