Patch Testing to Sodium Disulfite: North American Contact Dermatitis Group Experience, 2017-2018.

BACKGROUND Sodium disulfite (SD), also known as sodium metabisulfite, is an increasingly recognized cause of allergic contact dermatitis. OBJECTIVES Characterize individuals with positive patch test reactions to SD as well as analyze reaction strength, clinical relevance and sources. METHODS Retrospective analysis of patients patch tested to SD (1% pet) by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group (NACDG), 2017 to 2018. RESULTS Of 4885 patients tested to SD, 132 (2.7%) had a positive reaction. Common primary anatomic sites of dermatitis included face (28.8%), hands (20.5%) and a scattered/generalized distribution (13.6%). Compared to SD negative patients, SD positive patients were more likely male (OR 2.81; 95% CI 1.98, 4.00) and/or >40 years (OR 1.95; 95% CI 1.30, 2.94). Reactions were most commonly + (50.4%) or ++ (34.1%); 65.2% were considered currently relevant. 15.2% were definitively confirmed in sources, commonly personal care products (18.9%, especially hair dye) and drugs/medications/alcoholic beverages (9.1%). Only 2.3% of positive reactions were linked to occupation. CONCLUSIONS Positive reactions to SD occurred in 2.7% of tested patients. Reactions were often clinically relevant and linked to personal care products and drugs/medications/alcoholic beverages. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.