Contact sensitization by age group in adults: patch-test data from the Massachusetts General Hospital, 1996 to 2006.
BACKGROUND
Allergic contact sensitization may occur at any age, showing specific rates of sensitization and allergen frequency related to periods of life.


OBJECTIVE
To describe sensitization rates of specific allergens with respect to age distribution in adults in a cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Data of 713 patients referred for patch testing at the Massachusetts General Hospital Contact Dermatitis Clinic were analyzed. Testing was conducted with baseline (29 allergens) and customized series between January 1996 and December 2006.


RESULTS
Although trends were noted, there was no statistically significant difference with respect to rate of sensitization or number of positive allergens in the various age groups. Fragrance mix and nickel sulfate were the most common allergens through all age groups. In older age groups, a statistically significant higher sensitization rate was shown for fragrance mix (p = .005) and balsam of Peru (p < .005) whereas the rate for nickel was lower (p = .002).


CONCLUSIONS
For specific allergens such as nickel and fragrances, significant variations occur in different stages of life. Even with these variations, we found that the overall rates of positive patch-test reactions were similar in the three age groups evaluated.
Landeck
Lilla
L
Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Gonzalez
Ernesto
E
Baden
Lynn A
LA
Neumann
Konrad
K
Schalock
Peter C
PC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult