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European Journal of Dermatology

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Atopy patch testing and associations with atopic conditions and specific IgE tests: a population-based study in adolescents Volume 32, numéro 3, May-June 2022

Illustrations


  • Figure 1.

Tableaux

Auteurs
1 Department of Dermatology, Skåne University Hospital, Jan Waldenstöms gata 16, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden
2 Competence Center of Allergy, Asthma and COPD, Skåne Region Council, Lund, Sweden
3 Department of Occupational and Environmental Dermatology, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
4 Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
Reprints: Laura Von Kobyletzki

Background

The clinical usefulness of the atopy patch test (APT) is unclear for investigating aeroallergen- and food-triggered atopic dermatitis (AD).

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of positive APT reactions in a population of adolescents and investigate possible associations between the APT, specific serum (s) immunoglobulin E (IgE) tests, self-reported atopic conditions and health-related quality of life.

Materials & Methods

A population-based study was performed on 211 adolescents (13-14 years old). Collected data included questionnaires, an APT with food and aeroallergens and s-IgE tests.

Results

Positive APT reactions were observed in 9.0% (19/211) of the adolescents. Timothy grass was the top allergen with 11 (5.2%) positive reactions, followed by cat dander (2.8%) and house dust mites (2.4%). Rhinoconjunctivitis increased the odds of any positive APT (crude odds ratio: 3.32; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17–9.40), particularly when an APT was positive for aeroallergens (odds ratio: 5.02, 95% CI: 1.54-16.42). There was no association between a positive APT and AD. Four adolescents without AD and no IgE-sensitization had a positive APT.

Conclusion

Based on a population of adolescents, the APT is associated with rhinoconjunctivitis but not AD. This finding should be taken into consideration in further attempts to clarify the role of the APT in the clinical setting.