The topical niacin sensitivity test: an inter- and intra-rater reliability study in healthy controls

Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2008 Jul-Aug;79(1-2):15-9. doi: 10.1016/j.plefa.2008.06.001. Epub 2008 Jul 24.

Abstract

Topical application of nicotinic acid results in erythema, and in some cases oedema of the skin, supporting a strong relationship between niacin sensitivity and prostaglandin D2. The aim of this study was to examine the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of a 12-min niacin sensitivity test in healthy adults. Three raters assessed the skin reaction of 12 volunteers, over 3-min intervals across four niacin concentrations (0.1, 0.01, 0.001, and 0.0001), and over six sessions. Inter-rater reliability estimates ranged from 0.85 to 0.97 for the total niacin sensitivity score. Similar inter-rater reliability estimates were found for niacin sensitivity ratings by concentration and time. Intra-rater reliability estimates ranged from 0.63 to 0.93 for the total niacin sensitivity score. These data indicate that the 12-min topical niacin sensitivity test has excellent reliability.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Cutaneous
  • Adult
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nicotinic Acids / administration & dosage*
  • Observer Variation
  • Reference Values
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Skin / drug effects*
  • Skin Tests / methods
  • Skin Tests / standards
  • Time Factors
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Nicotinic Acids
  • methyl nicotinate