title: Patch testing in children, adults, and the elderly: influence of age and sex on sensitization patterns.
abstract: Patch testing was done on 2776 consecutive patients (76.5% female) with a locally revised standard series of 34 contact allergens and the results analyzed for age- and gender-specific differences. At least one positive epicutaneous test reaction occurred in 48.9% of patients. Nickel (20.9%), ethylmercuric chloride (13.2%), thimerosal (11.8%), fragrance mix (9.3%), metallic mercury (8.9%), palladium (5.8%), balsam of Peru (3.8%), copper (3.7%), cobalt (3.3%), and chromium (2.3%) were the 10 most important sensitizers. The following tested allergens with sensitization rates of more than 1% were not part of the usual standard series: ethylmercuric chloride, metallic mercury, copper, propolis (1.3%), propylene glycol (1.0%). Reactions to nickel, cobalt, and palladium, but not to chromium, were significantly more abundant in females (p < 0.002, chi-squared test). The overall sensitization rate was highest in children less than 10 years old (62%) and decreased steadily, to be lowest among patients more than 70 years old (34.9%). The rate of positive reactions to nickel and thimerosal decreased with age, while fragrance mix and metallic mercury stayed at the same level through all age groups.
authors.affiliation: FAZ - Floridsdorf Allergy Center, Vienna, Austria. science@faz.at
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wöhrl
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hemmer
authors.forename: Margarete
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Focke
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Götz
authors.forename: Reinhart
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jarisch
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000485:Allergens; D001317:Austria / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000379:methods*; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals / Q000494:pharmacology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009532:Nickel / Q000494:pharmacology; D010328:Patch Tests / Q000379:methods; D010476:Perfume / Q000494:pharmacology; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D008670:Metals; D010476:Perfume; D009532:Nickel