Duarte I, Kobata C, Lazzarini R

Language: Spanish
References: 16
Page: 275-279
PDF size: 153.51 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Background: Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a frequent illness, with variations in according to the studied group.
Objectives: To verify the frequency of ACD in an aged group of patients with hypothesis of contact dermatitis; to demonstrate the main sensitizers in this group; to compare the results of the contact tests, with those of a group of adults taken care of in the same period.
Methods: Elderly (> 65 y) and adult patients (20-65y) were selected from those submitted for contact testes in the Clinic of Dermatology of Santa Casa de São Paulo, between 1998 and 2003.
Results: Eigthy (9%) were elderly and 581(63%) adults. 70 elderly had a positive test and 10 had a negative test. In the adults, group of 436 had a positive test and 145 had a negative. The differences between the groups were statistically significant (p = 0.02). In the elderly group the main sensitizers were: thimerosal (11%), neomycin (10.5%), nickel sulfate (10%), fragrance-mix (10%), Nitrofurazone (7%). Comparing the results obtained in this group with the 436 adults with positive tests, significant difference in the index of sensitization of following substances was noticed statistically: nickel sulfate (p = 0.001), fragrance-mix (p = 0.004), neomycin (p = 0.0008), nitrofurazone (p = 0.02), promethazine (p = 0.03) and benzocaine (p = 0.007).
Conclusions: ACD in the elderly is a common illness as in other age groups. The substances related to topical medicines are important etiologic agents of ACD in the elderly.

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