Prevalence and trend of allergen sensitization in patients with a diagnosis of stasis dermatitis referred for patch testing, North American contact dermatitis group data, 2001–2016

Background: Few studies explored the relationship between stasis dermatitis (SD) and allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Objective: To examine trends, associations, and clinical relevance of ACD in patients referred for patch testing who had a final SD diagnosis. Methods: Retrospective analysis from 2001 to 2016 of 38,723 patients from the North American Contact Dermatitis Group. Results: After patch testing, 303 (0.7%) patients were diagnosed with SD; 46.7% had a concomitant diagnosis of ACD. Patients with vs. without a final SD diagnosis had similar proportions of ≥ 1 positive allergic reaction (59.7% vs. 64.7%; Chi-square, P = 0.0724) but higher odds of allergic reactions to fragrance mix I, bacitracin, quaternium-15, Myroxylon pereirae, benzalkonium chloride, ethyleneurea melamine formaldehyde, diazolidinyl urea, and propylene glycol. The most commonly relevant allergens in patients with final SD diagnosis were fragrance mix I, Myroxylon pereirae, bacitracin, quaternium-15, and formaldehyde. The most common allergen sources were personal care products, topical medications and other health aid products. Conclusion: Nearly half of patients with a final SD diagnosis were also diagnosed with ACD, supporting the role of patch testing in select SD patients.