title: [Characteristics of polymorphous light dermatosis--results of a prospective survey and study of 302 affected patients].
abstract: In a prospective study on 302 patients (females = 87%), we registered the historical and clinical data of polymorphous light eruption (PLE) and compared our results to similar studies from Finland, Sweden, and the USA. The mean age of onset of the disease was 24.0 years; the average duration time was 10.1 years. We found the following clinical and historical characteristics of PLE: skin types I and II - 49%; positive family history - 29%; latent period between sun exposure and the first skin eruptions - in 39% less than 2 hours, in 5% 3 days and more. Mostly we observed paular eruptions and strong pruritus, and usually the typical body areas were involved (i.e. décolleté, upper and lower arm, thigh, back of the hand, and face). In 64% of the patients who avoided exposure to the sun, the PLE did not continue but less than a week. Our findings may supply a useful tool regarding the diagnosis of ambiguous photodermatoses.
authors.affiliation: Dermatologische Univ.-Klinik Erlangen.
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Diepgen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Häberle
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fartasch
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Stüben
authors.forename: O P
authors.initials: OP
authors.lastname: Hornstein
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*
vernacular_title: Charakteristika der polymorphen Lichtdermatose--Ergebnisse einer prospektiven Befragung und Untersuchung 302 Betroffener.