Contact sensitivity in patients with venous leg ulcers in Serbia: comparison with contact dermatitis patients and relationship to ulcer duration.
BACKGROUND
Contact hypersensitivity is a common occurrence in patients with chronic venous leg ulcers (CVLU) with allergen profiles depending upon the local treatment policies.


OBJECTIVE
This study was to determine the frequency of contact sensitivity, prevalence of individual allergens, polyvalent sensitization, and/or their relationship to ulcers duration in the population of CVLU and contact dermatitis patients in Serbia.


METHODS
75 patients with CVLU and 82 patients with clinically suspected contact dermatitis were prospectively included in the study. The patients were patch tested with a series of 21 standard and 22 supplemental allergens.


RESULTS
73% (n = 55) of CVLU and 52% (n = 43) of control subjects had 1 or more positive patch test results (P < 0.01). Polysensitization was found in 53% of patients and 21% of controls (P < 0.01). CVLU patients run 2.5 and 4.3 higher risk for contact sensitization and polysensitization, respectively. The most common allergens were Balsam of Peru (21.3%), carba mix (18.7%), fusidic acid (17.3%), colophony (13.3%), paraben mix (12%), chloramphenicol (12%), silver nitrate (12%), and neomycin (10.7%). Polivalent sensitization and higher mean number of allergens were associated with ulcer duration >5 years.


CONCLUSIONS
The results confirm a high rate of contact (poly)sensitization in patients with CVLU and local variability in allergen prevalence.
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D013997:Time Factors; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D015022:Yugoslavia / Q000453:epidemiology
D000485:Allergens; D003879:Dermatologic Agents