Contact sensitivity in Behçet’s disease

Abstract

Context: Behçet’s disease (BD) is a multisystemic inflammatory disorder with unknown etiology. Many immunological changes were reported in BD previously and these changes may affect the frequency of contact sensitivity in these patients.

Objective: We aimed to identify whether there is an interaction between contact sensitivity and BD.

Methods: The ‘European standard series’ with 27 allergens were performed on the upper backs of patients and healthy volunteers according to international standards using the IQ-Chamber. The test-units which contain these allergens were removed after 2 days. According to International Contact Dermatitis Research Group Recommendations test areas were evaluated on days 2, 3 and 7 to detect any delayed allergic reactions. The results of both groups were compared by using chi-square test.

Results: One hundred adult persons (50 BDs and 50 healthy controls) were tested. Positive patch test reaction to 1 or more allergens was observed in 7 (14%) patients in BD group and in 12 (24%) persons in control group. There was no statistically significant difference between these two groups.

Conclusions: The frequency of contact sensitivity in BD is not different from healthy persons.

Keywords::

• Behçet’s disease
• contact allergy
• contact sensitivity
• patch test