Characteristics of Hori naevus: a prospective analysis.
BACKGROUND
Acquired, bilateral naevus of Ota-like macules or Hori naevus (HN) is a common dyschromia seen in Orientals. Other than the original report which documented the clinical spectrum in a group of 22 patients, there have not been many epidemiological reports of this condition.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of HN in Asian patients.


METHODS
A prospective analysis of 161 patients with HN seen from June 2003 to June 2004 was performed.


RESULTS
All 161 patients in the study were women. Patients were Chinese (n = 155), Eurasian (n = 4), Malay (n = 1) and Indian (n = 1). The median age at onset was 30 years. The malar region was the most frequently affected area. Discrete brown macules were the most common early presentation. Confluent slate-grey macules occurred later. Aggravating factors included sun exposure and pregnancy. Sixty-seven patients reported a positive family history.


CONCLUSIONS
We report our data on the largest series of HN in the literature so far. Predisposing factors in our study are Chinese race, female sex and positive family history. HN became progressively more confluent and grey over time, suggesting migration from the epidermis to the deeper dermis. More studies are needed to confirm the pathogenesis.
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National Skin Center, 1 Mandalay Road, Singapore 308205, Republic of Singapore. melvinee@nsc.gov.sg
Wong
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Goh
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Ang
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D012880:Skin Pigmentation