title: The value of patch testing patients with a scattered generalized distribution of dermatitis: retrospective cross-sectional analyses of North American Contact Dermatitis Group data, 2001 to 2004.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A scattered generalized distribution (SGD) of dermatitis is a challenging problem; patch testing is a strategy for evaluating allergic contact dermatitis as a relevant factor.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to analyze patient characteristics and most frequently relevant positive allergens in patients presenting for patch testing with SGD.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted retrospective cross-sectional analysis of North American Contact Dermatitis Group 2001 to 2004 data. Patients with SGD were compared with patients without SGD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 10,061 patients, 14.9% (n = 1497) had only a SGD. Men and patients with a history of atopic eczema were more likely to have dermatitis in a SGD (P < .001). Preservatives, fragrances, propylene glycol, cocamidopropyl betaine, ethyleneurea melamine formaldehyde, tixocortol pivalate, and budesonide were among the more frequently relevant positive allergens. Top allergen sources included cosmetics/beauty preparations/skin and health care products, clothing, and topical corticoids.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This was a retrospective analysis of patch-tested patients with SGD suspected to have allergy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A total of 49% of patients with SGD had at least one relevant positive allergen, thus demonstrating the benefit of patch testing these patients.
authors.affiliation: Section of Dermatology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire 03755, USA. KZug@Hitchcock.org
authors.forename: Kathryn A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Zug
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Rietschel
authors.forename: Erin M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Warshaw
authors.forename: Donald V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Belsito
authors.forename: James S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Howard I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Maibach
authors.forename: C G Toby
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Mathias
authors.forename: Joseph F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Fowler
authors.forename: James G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Marks
authors.forename: Vincent A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: DeLeo
authors.forename: Melanie D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Pratt
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sasseville
authors.forename: Frances J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Storrs
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003020:Clothing / Q000009:adverse effects; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000009:adverse effects; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000175:diagnosis; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D003358:Cosmetics; D003879:Dermatologic Agents