Korean J Dermatol.  2023 Dec;61(10):602-611.

Analysis of Patch Test Results in Rosacea Patients Based on Atopic History: A Retrospective Study

• Heo YW
• Lim SH
• Kim YH
• Choi EH

Abstract

Background
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disorder primarily affecting the facial regions, characterized by symptoms such as hot sensations, tingling, pruritus, and dryness, along with signs of erythema, papules, pustules, and edema. Limited research exists on the association between rosacea, allergic contact dermatitis, and atopic diseases.
Objective
The present study aimed to investigate the link between rosacea and patch test in patients with or without history of atopic disease.
Methods
We analyzed data from 345 patients with rosacea who visited Wonju Severance Christian Hospital between January 2012 and July 2022. The study examined the prevalence of a history of atopy, patch test results, and positivity rates of specific antigens.
Results
The overall positive patch test rate was 72.46%. This rate tended to be higher in patients with a history of atopy compared to those without atopy (odds ratio [OR], 1.720; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.990∼2.987), although the difference was not significant. Notably, cobalt chloride exhibited a significantly increased positivity rate in the atopy subgroup (OR, 1.792; 95% CI, 1.078∼2.977). When stratified by subtype, the papulopustular group showed significantly higher positivity rates for cobalt chloride, thimerosal, quinoline mix, and captan compared with the erythematous-telangiectatic group.
Conclusion
The present study enhances our understanding of the association between rosacea and patch test, particularly in patients with rosacea and atopic disease. Considering the atopic history and performing patch tests to identify sensitized antigens are crucial for effective management and symptom relief in patients with rosacea.

Keyword

Allergic contact dermatitis; Atopic dermatitis; Contact dermatitis; Patch tests; Rosacea