Contact sensitization of older patients in an academic department in Naples, Italy.
BACKGROUND
Contact allergy develops in predisposed individuals as a consequence of environmental exposure to allergens. Exposure patterns change over time because of many factors (sex, age, occupation, fashion trends, official regulations), and the delayed hypersensitivity response depends significantly on the age of the subject.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of contact sensitization in older patients (older than 65 years) referred to our allergologic clinic.


METHODS
All patients were patch-tested with the standard series of the Societè Italiana di Dermatologia Allergologica, Professionale e Ambientale, and 32 patients were also tested with additional series.


RESULTS
Of 117 examined subjects, 48 (41%) developed at least one positive reaction whereas 22 of 117 (19%) showed more than one sensitization. Allergic contact dermatitis was detected in 13% of our sample. The five most frequent allergens were nickel sulfate (13.7%), potassium dichromate (11.1%), cobalt chloride (7.7%), para-phenylenediamine (5.2%), and balsam of Peru (4.3%).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest an age-dependent decline of overall positive patch-test reactions but a higher sensitization rate to some allergens.
Balato
Anna
A
Department of Dermatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Balato
Nicola
N
Di Costanzo
Luisa
L
Ayala
Fabio
F
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology*; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001453:Balsams / Q000009:adverse effects; D003035:Cobalt / Q000009:adverse effects; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009532:Nickel / Q000009:adverse effects; D010328:Patch Tests; D010655:Phenylenediamines / Q000009:adverse effects; D011192:Potassium Dichromate / Q000009:adverse effects; D015995:Prevalence
D000485:Allergens; D001453:Balsams; D010655:Phenylenediamines; D003035:Cobalt; C029938:nickel sulfate; D009532:Nickel; C025080:Peruvian balsam; C018021:cobaltous chloride; D011192:Potassium Dichromate; C029728:4-phenylenediamine