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.
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.
Zug
Kathryn A
KA
Section of Dermatology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire 03755, USA. KZug@Hitchcock.org
Rietschel
Robert L
RL
Warshaw
Erin M
EM
Belsito
Donald V
DV
Taylor
James S
JS
Maibach
Howard I
HI
Mathias
C G Toby
CG
Fowler
Joseph F
JF
Marks
James G
JG
DeLeo
Vincent A
VA
Pratt
Melanie D
MD
Sasseville
Denis
D
Storrs
Frances J
FJ
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
D000485:Allergens; D003358:Cosmetics; D003879:Dermatologic Agents