Contact allergy to corticosteroids in patients using inhaled or intranasal corticosteroids for allergic rhinitis or asthma.

BACKGROUND: Patients using topically applied corticosteroids are at risk of developing allergic contact hypersensitivity. OBJECTIVE: To assess prevalence of allergic contact hypersensitivity reactions to inhaled or intranasal corticosteroids. METHODS: A prospective study of 30 adult patients using inhaled or intranasal corticosteroids for conditions such as allergic rhinitis was performed. We used epicutaneous patch testing to determine the prevalence of allergic contact hypersensitivity to corticosteroids and common additives (propylene glycol and benzalkonium chloride) in inhaled and nasal corticosteroid preparations in this population. RESULTS: Of 30 patients, 4 (13%) had positive patch test results. 3 (10%) were allergic reactions and 1 (3%) was an irritant reaction. Half of the reactions were to a corticosteroid (budesonide) and half were to a common preservative in nasal preparations (benzalkonium chloride). CONCLUSION: This study supports other clinical evidence that contact dermatitis/mucositis from inhaled or intranasal corticosteroid products can occur. The corticosteroids or added agents such as preservatives can be causative and may result in allergic or irritant reactions, which can be relevant to clinical symptoms.

Patch testing discordance alert: false-negative findings with rubber additives and fragrances.

From July 1996 through June 1998, the North American Contact Dermatitis Group evaluated 318 patients for suspected contact dermatitis by patch testing simultaneously with Finn Chambers and the T.R.U.E. Test allergen system. Discrepancies between the two systems were found in some of the results, particularly with fragrance and rubber allergens. These results suggest that positive reactions to fragrance, thiuram, and carba mix allergens may be missed if the T.R.U.E. Test is used alone.

A preliminary report of the occupation of patients evaluated in patch test clinics.

BACKGROUND: The interplay between the occupational environment and worker's skin can result in contact dermatitis of both irritant and allergic types. Other forms of dermatitis can also be influenced by occupational exposures. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to compare the occupations and allergens of occupational contact dermatitis cases with nonoccupational contact dermatitis cases. METHODS: Diagnostic patch testing with allergens of the North American Contact Dermatitis Group and occupational coding by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health methods. RESULTS: Of 2,889 patients referred for evaluation of contact dermatitis, 839 patients (29%) were found to have occupational contact dermatitis. Of the 839 cases deemed occupational, 455 cases (54%) were primarily allergic in nature and 270 cases (32%) were primarily irritant in nature. The remaining 14% were diagnoses other than contact dermatitis, aggravated by work. The occupation most commonly found to have allergic contact dermatitis was nursing. Allergens strongly associated with occupational exposure were thiuram, carbamates, epoxy, and ethylenediamine. CONCLUSION: Some contact allergens are more commonly associated with occupational contact dermatitis. Nursing and nursing support are occupations most likely to be overrepresented in contact dermatitis clinics.

Gold allergy in North America.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of allergic reactions to gold among patients tested by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group (NACDG) from 1996 to 1998. METHODS: This is a prospective analysis of patch test results from the 12 centers that comprise the NACDG. Gold was tested as gold sodium thiosulfate (0.5% in petrolatum [pet]), along with 49 other screening allergens, in patients presenting with possible contact dermatitis. RESULTS: Of 4,101 patients tested, 388 (9.5%) had a positive patch test result to gold. Women accounted for 62.8% of the subjects tested and 90.2% of patients positive to gold (P < .0001). The most common sites of dermatitis in gold-allergic patients were the hands (29.6%), face (19.3%), and eyelids (7.5%). Nickel and cobalt allergies, respectively, also were present in 33.5% and 18.3% of gold allergic individuals, as compared with 14.2% and 9.0% of the total population. Gold was the only positive reaction in 15.2% of the 388 patients. CONCLUSION: Gold is a more common allergen than previously reported and might cause facial and eyelid dermatitis. Hypersensitivity to gold is statistically linked to female gender and to allergic reactions to nickel and cobalt.

Criteria of the "educators' pyramid" fulfilled by medical school faculty promoted on a teaching pathway.

PURPOSE: To compare the results of academic promotion to associate professor and professor via the teaching pathway at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFUSM) with the criteria of the "educators' pyramid" of Sachdeva et al. METHOD: Data on all candidates promoted to associate professor and professor in the academic years 1995-2000 at WFUSM were collected from candidates' portfolios and compared with the criteria for educator (level three) and master educator (level four) from a modified version of the educators' pyramid. RESULTS: Of 186 faculty promoted, 38 were on the teaching pathway. Everyone promoted on the pathway fulfilled all teacher and master teacher criteria. All educator criteria were found among the associate professors, and all but one of the master educator criteria were found among professors. More than 75% of associate professors demonstrated "sustained participation in significant amounts of effective teaching in more than one modality" and "service as a medical student clerkship, course, or residency director." Less than 30% demonstrated "service as assistant dean of education or student affairs" or "service as the chair of departmental education committees." Most associate professors had not regularly participated in national education meetings. For professors, more than 50% demonstrated "achievement of leadership positions in national organizations, committees, and medical school education"; "recognition as a national leader in specialty education"; and "mentorship of other faculty members locally and nationally." Less than 30% demonstrated "pursuit of further training in education through workshops, faculty development programs, or educational fellowship programs" or "development and implementation of nationally-recognized (in education) innovative curricula or teaching programs." No one promoted to professor on the teaching pathway had made what was considered to be a landmark contribution to educational research and development. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that the educators' pyramid is generalizable to medical faculty being promoted on a teaching pathway at WFUSM. Documentation of achievement in teaching criteria is essential and faculty should be encouraged to maintain records of accomplishment before becoming candidates for promotion.

Vulvodynia: a dermatologist's perspective with emphasis on an irritant contact dermatitis component.

Vulvodynia (vulvar burning and itching) is a symptom complex with a number of potential triggering/exacerbating factors. We reviewed the management and outcomes of 60 patients seen in a referral dermatology clinic for vulvodynia. The composite patient profile is that of a 44-year-old white woman with a 2-year history of vulvar burning who has tried multiple topical therapies. Dermatological factors in these patients included candidiasis (37%), atopy (27%), dermatographism (27%), and irritant contact dermatitis (83%). Identification of these factors and directed management led to symptomatic improvement in 72% of patients within 4 months. No patients were treated with amitriptyline. A dermatological approach to discern the contributing factors for individual patients with vulvodynia can be helpful in directing therapeutic management.

The role of dermatologists in the delivery of occupational dermatologic care.

This article reviews the role of dermatologists in occupational dermatologic care by reviewing the types of skin diseases that may be work-related, the diagnostic testing, and evidence of quality of care delivery and outcomes provided by dermatologists.

Significance-prevalence index number: a reinterpretation and enhancement of data from the North American contact dermatitis group.

BACKGROUND: The North American Contact Dermatitis Group (NACDG) periodically reports allergen reaction rates and clinical significance. These results are not formally interpreted combining both components into one index. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to introduce the Significance-Prevalence Index Number (SPIN), which is a parameter that assesses the relative importance of different allergens. METHODS: Data was collected from published studies reported by NACDG from 1984 through 1996. The SPIN for each tested allergen was calculated as the product of the proportion of the population allergic by the weighted clinician-assessed likelihood of relevance of the reaction. RESULTS: In the studies done in 1992 through 1996, fragrance mix, quaternium-15, balsam Peru, formaldehyde, thiuram mix, nickel sulfate, neomycin, bacitracin, carba mix, and paraphenylenediamine were the 10 leading allergens in clinical importance as measured by SPIN. Our SPIN calculations suggest that ethylenediamine and benzocaine have markedly decreased in clinical importance over the past decade, whereas methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone has become a leading allergen. A number of allergens demonstrate high to intermediate SPIN, yet are not included in the T.R.U.E. test. These clinically important allergens include bacitracin, diazolidinyl urea, glyceryl thioglycate, ethyleneurea melamine-formaldehyde, and imidazolidinyl urea. CONCLUSION: SPIN allows clinicians to incorporate both the allergenicity and the relevance of the allergen into one measure.

Facial dermatitis: patch test results and final diagnoses.

BACKGROUND: Facial dermatitis may result from allergic or irritant contact dermatitis, from endogenous conditions such as atopic or seborrheic dermatitis, or a combination of contributing factors. OBJECTIVE: To determine the final diagnoses in patients referred for evaluation of facial dermatitis, and the relevant allergens in those ultimately diagnosed with allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). METHODS: A retrospective chart analysis of all patients patch tested for evaluation of facial dermatitis in an Occupational and Contact Dermatitis referral clinic over a 2-year period from October 1995 to October 1997. RESULTS: Of the 383 patients patch tested, 85 (22%) had facial dermatitis. Of these 85 patients, 55 (65%) had spotty or diffuse facial involvement, 21 (25%) had only eyelid involvement, and in 9 (10%) only the lips were involved. Final diagnoses were relatively equally distributed among three categories: one third had ACD, one third had ACD with other contributing factors, and one third had diagnoses other than ACD. Among patients with ACD, the most common relevant allergens were personal care products, preservatives, and fragrances. CONCLUSION: Allergic contact dermatitis is a frequent cause of facial dermatitis in a referral dermatology clinic. However, in up to two thirds of patients, other diagnoses represent either the primary process or a major component contributing to the eruption. Personal care products, preservatives, and fragrances represent the most common relevant allergens in those diagnosed with ACD. A significant number of relevant reactions would be missed if only the TRUE test standard series were used.

To patch or not to patch: what is your threshold for patch testing?

Patch testing is as much art as it is science; we all are influenced by our clinical experience as well as by the literature. In an effort to assist those new to this often underutilized technique, we have solicited comments from five experienced clinicians about when to patch test and when not to patch test. Their responses should be a guide for us all.

Ketoconazole 2% shampoo in the treatment of tinea versicolor: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Tinea versicolor is a common superficial fungal infection caused by a lipophilic yeast. This chronically recurring opportunistic infection is especially prevalent in tropical and semitropical regions. The topical short-term application of ketoconazole 2% shampoo may provide effective and safe therapy for tinea versicolor. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a single application (1 day) versus three daily applications (3 days) of ketoconazole 2% shampoo versus placebo shampoo in the treatment of mycologically confirmed tinea versicolor. METHODS: Three hundred twelve patients were included in the primary analyses for this 31-day study. Global evaluation scores were measured on days 10 and 31 with a 5-point scale (1 = healed to 5 = worsening), and a cellophane tape test was done at baseline and days 3, 10, and 31. Efficacy was assessed by clinical response, defined as both a global evaluation score of 1 (healed) and a negative cellophane tape test on day 31. Signs and symptoms of tinea versicolor (scaling, itching, erythema, hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation) also were evaluated at baseline, day 10, and day 31 with a 4-point scale (0 = absent to 3 = severe). RESULTS: Both regimens of ketoconazole shampoo were significantly (P < .001) more effective than placebo for rate of clinical response, global evaluation scores, and mycologic outcomes (cellophane tape test). The clinical response rates at day 31 were 73%, 69%, and 5% for the 3-day ketoconazole, 1-day ketoconazole, and placebo groups, respectively. The difference in the efficacy of the two ketoconazole treatment regimens was not statistically significant. There were no significant differences between any of the treatment groups in the number of patients who experienced adverse events. No serious adverse events occurred and no patient withdrew from the trial prematurely because of an adverse event. CONCLUSION: Ketoconazole 2% shampoo, used as a single application or daily for 3 days, is safe and highly effective in the treatment of tinea versicolor.

An economic evaluation of patch testing in the diagnosis and management of allergic contact dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: A previous retrospective study indicated that patch testing is cost-effective and well accepted by patients. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this observational prospective study was to show the cost-effectiveness of patch testing in patients suspected of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and to determine the order in which different severity groups rank in terms of cost-effectiveness. METHODS: This observational study was conducted in 567 patients from 10 investigator sites over a period of 1 year. All patients with a suspicion of contact allergy who exhibited at least moderate disease activity were included in the study and were stratified according to disease severity and whether or not they were patch tested. In each severity category, the cost-effectiveness of patch testing was evaluated. Patients who were ruled out for contact allergy by the first 6 months after admission were excluded. A validated dermatology-specific quality of life instrument was administered to all the patients at entrance into the study and at 6 and 12 months after that. The cost-effectiveness analysis is shown using a decision analysis model. RESULTS: Patch testing was performed on 22% of patients with mild disease, 41% of patients with moderate disease, and 50% of patients with severe disease. As a result of changes made in their lifestyle, 66% in the patch-tested group and 51% in the non-patch-tested group reported 75% or more improvement in disease symptoms after 6 months. Early confirmation of diagnosis helped reduce the prediagnosis costs of treatment, which was mostly based on preliminary diagnosis. The greatest quality of life benefits from patch testing, relative to no patch testing, occurred in subjects with recurrent or chronic ACD. CONCLUSION: Patch testing is most cost-effective and reduces the cost of therapy in patients with severe ACD.

The incidence of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.

BACKGROUND: Contact dermatitis is said to be rare in psoriasis patients, possibly because of accelerated epidermal turnover, the isomorphic (Koebner) response, and lymphocyte functional alterations. OBJECTIVE: To identify contact allergy in patients with psoriasis. METHODS: A written questionnaire was completed by 100 patients with psoriasis about contact history, flare factors for psoriasis, topical skin care, medications, and occupational/hobby exposures. Of these patients, 20 agreed to be patch tested with a standard screening series (Hermal) and a 20-item psoriasis patch-test series that included ingredients that might be found in topical psoriasis products. RESULTS: Of the 100 patients, eight suspected a topical medication caused a reaction that worsened their psoriasis, 29 gave a history of atopy, 11 reported reactions to metal jewelry, and 29 reported an allergy to poison ivy. Patch-test results identified four of the 20 patients with six positive patch tests to the materials tested: three of the six positive tests were interpreted as relevant to the patient's psoriasis (coal tar, ethylenediamine and dithranol), two patients tested positive to nickel and one to thimerosal. Five patients had irritant reactions to dithranol. CONCLUSIONS: In this small study, 20% of self-selected psoriasis patients had positive allergic reactions on patch testing. A screening contact and atopic history in psoriasis patients may help to identify a subset of patients who could benefit from a search for more relevant contact allergens with patch test evaluation. This could improve treatment strategies and possibly reduce disability.