Principais sensibilizantes em pacientes idosos e não idosos com dermatite de contato

Aims: To evaluate the prevalence of the main allergens found in allergic contact dermatitis among elderly and non-elderly patients.Methods: Retrospective study of the medical records of patients clinically diagnosed with contact dermatitis treated from August 2000 to January 2012 at the Allergy Outpatient Clinic of Marília Medical School and at an Allergy and Dermatology private clinic in Marília, state of São Paulo, Brazil. The inclusion criteria were clinical diagnosis of contact dermatitis, patch test performed during the study period, and no treatment with systemic corticosteroids or any other immunosuppressants. Age, sex, history of other types of allergy and allergens used were assessed. The patch test results were read 48 hours and 72 hours after application of the test chambers.Results: A total of 362 patients were included in the study: 60 elderly patients (aged 60 years or older) and 302 non-elderly patients. In addition to contact dermatitis, other types of allergies were observed in 20 (33.3%) of elderly patients and in 113 (37.4%) of non-elderly patients (p=0.54). There were 162 positive reactions on the patch test among elderly patients and 738 positive reactions among non-elderly patients (p=0.24). Strong positive reactions were present in 41 (68.3%) elderly patients and in 156 (51.6%) non-elderly patients (p=0.02). Strong and very strong positive reactions, when assessed together, were detected in 44 (73.3%) elderly patients and in 214 (70.8%) non-elderly patients (p=0.69). The most common allergens were nickel sulfate (in 33.3% of elderly and 38% of non-elderly patients) and fragrance mix (in 25% of elderly and 27.8% of non-elderly patients), with no statistical difference between the groups.Conclusions: There was a high rate of positive reactions on the patch test among patients with contact dermatitis, with no difference between elderly and non-elderly individuals, and the most common allergens were nickel sulfate and fragrance mix. Therefore, it is important that allergy to nickel and fragrances be included in the etiologic investigation of contact dermatitis, regardless of age.