Patch Test Results of the European Baseline Series among 1309 Patients in Turkey between 2013 and 2019

Background: Prevalences of sensitivity to contact allergens change over time as a result of variations in allergen exposure.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to describe trends in rates of sensitization to allergens in the European baseline series in Turkey between 2013 and 2019.

Methods: The patch test results of 1309 patients with suspected allergic contact dermatitis were analyzed retrospectively, and the prevalence of contact allergies to European baseline series allergens was compared with previous data (for 1998-2005).

Results: Five hundred thirty-four (40.8%) patients exhibited one or more positive patch test reactions. The five most frequent allergens were nickel sulfate (19.6%), potassium dichromate (6.5%), cobalt chloride (6%), Myroxylon pereirae resin (5%), and p-phenylenediamine (3.7%). Statistically significant increases in the prevalence of sensitization to methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI) (P<.001), Myroxylon pereirae resin (P<.001), p-phenylenediamine (P=.008), and fragrance mix I (P=.036) were observed in 2013-2019 compared with 1998-2005. Conversely, positive reactions to neomycin sulfate (P=.029), clioquinol (P=.031), and primin (P=.001) decreased significantly.

Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive profile of allergic contact dermatitis in Turkey. The remarkable increase in the MI and MCI/MI contact allergy observed underlines the urgent need for regulatory measures to reduce exposure to MI and MCI/MI in Turkey. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Contact sensitivity; European baseline series; Turkey; allergic contact dermatitis; patch test.