Photodermatoses in African Americans: a retrospective analysis of 135 patients over a 7-year period.
BACKGROUND
The frequency of photodermatoses in African Americans has not been well characterized.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the frequency of photodermatoses in African Americans in an academic medical center during a 7-year period. This was compared with that observed in Caucasians seen during the same period.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review of 2200 dermatology clinic charts from August 1997 to September 2004 was performed. Charts of patients with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision diagnostic codes related to photodermatoses were included.


RESULTS
Two hundred eighty patients with photodermatoses were identified: 135 (48%) African Americans, 110 (40%) Caucasians, and 35 (12%) patients of other races. In African Americans and Caucasians, the frequency of diagnoses was as follows: polymorphous light eruption (PMLE) (67.4% and 41.1%, respectively), systemic phototoxicity (13.3%, 10.7%), chronic actinic dermatitis (11.1%, 7.1%), porphyrias (0.7%, 21.4%), solar urticaria (2.2%, 8%), and other (5.2%, 10%). There was a statistically significantly higher proportion of African Americans with PMLE (P < .0001) compared with Caucasians. There was a statistically significantly higher proportion of Caucasians with porphyrias and solar urticaria (P < .001 and = .03, respectively) compared with African Americans.


CONCLUSIONS
This study was a retrospective analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Photodermatoses occur regularly in African Americans. With the notable exceptions of PMLE, porphyrias, and solar urticaria, the frequency of photodermatoses in African Americans was similar to that in Caucasians.
Kerr
Holly A
HA
Multicultural Dermatology Center, Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan 48202, USA.
Lim
Henry W
HW
D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan; D008875:Middle Aged; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012882:Skin Tests; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data