Patch testing of budesonide in Italy: the SIDAPA baseline series experience, 2018-2019.

BACKGROUND Budesonide was included in the European Baseline Series in 2000 as the most suitable marker for CS hypersensitivity. In the last 2 decades a decreasing trend of budesonide allergy was observed. OBJECTIVES To estimate the prevalence of positive patch test reactions to budesonide in an Italian large patch test population characterizing patients according to MOAHLFA index and evaluating the benefit with extended readings of budesonide patch test. METHODS/PATIENTS Retrospective analysis of patient demographics and patch test results over a 2-year period (2018-2019) was performed at 14 patch test Clinics in Italy. RESULTS Ninety patients among 14544 (0.6%) reacted to budesonide 0.01%. Positive reactions were mild in 54.4% and late readings at D7 showed new positive reactions in 37.8% of patients. MOAHLFA index showed a significant positive association with male gender, atopic dermatitis, and age > 40 years and a significant negative association with hand and face dermatitis. CONCLUSIONS We documented a low prevalence of budesonide allergy in Italy, confirming its decreasing trend recently reported in literature. Nevertheless, budesonide needs to be maintained in the baseline series for its good ability to detect CS sensitization. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.