title: Polymorphous light eruption and benign summer light eruption in Italy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Polymorphous light eruption (PLE) heterogeneity has been postulated, but the existence of benign summer light eruption (BSLE) is controversial. We studied the prevalence of the clinical patterns, criteria distinguishing BSLE from PLE, and diagnostic usefulness of phototest.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five Italian Photodermatology Centres recruited retrospectively 346 patients with typical clinical history and/or presentation of PLE. Age, gender, skin type, family history and presence of atopy were considered. UVA and UVB MEDs and provocative phototests with UVA and UVB were obtained with a standardized procedure. Photopatch tests were applied according to the IRCDG rules. ANA were assessed by indirect immunofluorescence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four criteria (predominance of women, shorter latency, uninvolvement of the face and absence of relapse during summer) identified BSLE in only 6.1% of cases. All had positive phototests, mostly with UVA. Uninvolvement of face, short latency and no seasonal relapses identified 11.7% patients, mostly with positive phototests to UVA. Short latency and no seasonal relapses in women identified 11.2% patients. Uninvolvement of face and no seasonal relapses in women identified 8.1% of patients. Uninvolvement of face and short latency in women identified 17.6% of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Criteria diagnosed BSLE in only a minority of patients, who were positive at phototesting, mostly with UVA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinological and Medical Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy. guarrera@unige.it
authors.forename: Marcella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guarrera
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cardo
authors.forename: Alfredo Enrico
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Rebora
authors.forename: Donatella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schena
authors.forename: Piergiacomo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Calzavara-Pinton
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Venturini
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Monfrecola
authors.forename: Antonello
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baldo
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Leone
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pacifico
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pavesi
authors.forename: Aldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ciambellotti
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sala
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Di Costanzo
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fabbrocini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004890:Erythema / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult