Frequency of Sensitization to Corticosteroid Substances Used in Topical Derma-tologic Therapy

Overview

Background:
Contact hypersensitivity to corticosteroids is increasingly reported. The prevalenceof positive patch tests to corticosteroids ranges from 0.4 up to 6.4 %.Objective: The prevalence of positive patch tests to corticosteroids in our region was determinedin pilot study of patients with various forms of dermatitis.Methods: Corticosteroid compounds as representatives of four groups (A-D) were used. They weretested simultaneously both in 96% ethanol and in yellow petrolatum in therapeutic and 1% concen-trations. The patch tests were applied for 48 hours, responses were read after 48, 72 and 96 hoursand 1 week later, according to the ICDRG (International Contact Dermatitis Research Group)guidelines.Results: Among 664 patients, 9 individuals (1.35 %) with total 32 positive reactions to corticoste-roid compounds were found. There were evident cross-reactive patterns among the corticosteroidstested. The role of budesonid as a marker of corticosteroid hypersensitivity was confirmed.Conclusion: Corticosteroids should be included in routine patch testing although contact hyper-sensitivity to corticosteroids in Czech Republic is not so high.

Key words:
corticosteroids - contact hypersensitivity - patch tests