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Published on: June 23, 2009
Patch-test-induced subjective complaints
W G Kamphof1, L Kunkeler, S C E Bikkers
1Department of Occupational Dermatology, Free University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Background:
Many patients report subjective complaints during epicutaneous patch testing.
Objective:
To demonstrate the possible relationship between the occurrence of subjective complaints and patch testing.
Methods:
All consecutive patients who were referred to our clinic for patch testing, during 1 year, were investigated to study a possible association of the patch test procedure and subjective complaints like tiredness, shakiness or feeling unwell. The patients were asked to fill in a form concerning subjective complaints on the days of the investigation. Only those without complaints on the day the patches were applied were included in the study (n=102).
Results:
Of the 102 patients, 17 had complaints on both days 2 and 3, 14 only on day 2, 6 only on day 3 and 65 did not develop any complaints at all. The number of patients with complaints on both days 2 and 3 (n=17) was larger than was to be expected from chance (n=4.6; p<0.01). There was a significant correlation between the number of positive patch test reactions and the number of complaints on day 2 (r=0.19; p<<0.001) and on day 3 (r=0.15; p<0.001). Positive patch tests were found in 72.2% of the patients who reported the complaint of shakiness; this proportion is significantly higher than expected from chance (p<0.05).
Conclusion:
The results confirm those of our earlier study and demonstrate that patch testing can cause subjective complaints, especially when positive patch tests are present.
