Can atopy patch tests with aeroallergens be an additional diagnostic criterion for atopic dermatitis?

UNLABELLED

The complex pathomechanisms underlying skin lesions in atopic dermatitis (AD) result in variations of the clinical picture and frequent diagnostic difficulties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of atopy patch tests (APT) for aeroallergens in the diagnosis of AD. The study involved 115 adult patients with AD and 98 healthy volunteers (the control group). APTs for cat dander allergens, birch pollen, a mixture of house dust mite species and a mixture of 5 grass pollen allergens were applied for both groups. Positive reaction to at least one test allergen was found in 53.9% patients compared to 6.2% in the control group (p<0.001). The most frequent hypersensitivity (45.2%) observed was to house dust mite allergens. Polyvalent allergy to 2-4 allergens was found in 56.5% patients. The specificity of tests exceeded 75%, whereas the sensitivity varied from 18 to 66%.

CONCLUSIONS

1. Atopy patch tests, which are characterised by considerable specificity, confirm the role of polyvalent contact hypersensitivity to aeroallergens in the development of atopic dermatitis. 2. Positive aeroallergen ATP results are observed in the majority of patients and can thus be regarded as an additional diagnostic criterion in atopic dermatitis.