Steroid allergy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Contact allergy to a steroid enema leading to worsening of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has recently been reported. This study was designed to look for evidence of steroid allergy in patients with IBD.

To look for the presence of steroid allergy in general, and steroid enema allergy in particular, in a cohort of IBD patients prepared to attend for patch testing.

Patients with IBD in two gastroenterology units at Dublin and Cork were asked to take part in the study. Those who agreed to take part were tested to the British Contact Dermatitis Society standard and steroid batteries. Patients with positive tests to steroids were subsequently asked to attend for intradermal testing with prednisolone, and patch testing to the two commercially available steroid enemas in Ireland and an extended battery of steroids. Reactions were read at days 2 and 4.

In total, 44 patients from the two units were patch tested. Four patients had positive patch tests to one or more steroids in these batteries: budesonide (n = 2), triamcinolone acetonide (n = 1), tixocortol pivalate (n = 1) and prednisolone (n = 1). Of these, three underwent further testing. All three had positive reactions to intradermal prednisolone and one had a positive test to steroid enema.

Four (9%) of our patients were found to have steroid allergy. This has important implications for the local and systemic treatment of their IBD.