Real World Data: Contact Dermatitis and Patch Testing

The presentation by a dermatologist at UW explores findings from a data analysis of contact dermatitis and patch testing, utilizing the Dataderm registry from 2015 to 2022. Patch testing serves as a vital diagnostic tool for allergic contact dermatitis, with evidence suggesting it improves patient quality of life and reduces healthcare costs. However, the proportion of patch testing claims is declining in dermatology, indicating potential underutilization. The analysis examined demographics of 37,000 patients who underwent patch testing, revealing a majority were adult women and predominantly white. Diagnostic results showed that while around 10% of patients diagnosed with allergic contact dermatitis underwent patch testing, overall rates were low, particularly in children. Traveling distances for patch testing were relatively short, averaging 13 to 22 miles, with no significant variance based on practice size. Limitations in the study included missing data on race and ethnicity, which complicates interpretations. The presentation emphasizes the need for standardized documentation practices to enhance data quality and supports ongoing investigation into contact dermatitis and patch testing to better understand demographics and access issues in dermatological care.