title: Prevalence of actinic keratosis and its risk factors in the general population: the Rotterdam Study.
abstract: Limited data are available on the prevalence and risk factors of actinic keratoses (AKs). Within the Rotterdam Study, full-body skin examinations were performed among participants aged 45 years or older to estimate the age- and sex-standardized prevalence of AK and its associated risk factors. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for associations between risk factors and the presence of 1-3, 4-9, and ≥ 10 AKs. Of the 2,061 inspected cohort members (mean age 72 years), 21% had 1-3, 9% had 4-9, and 8% had ≥ 10 AKs. AK prevalence was 49% (95% CI: 46-52%) for men and 28% (26-31%) for women. Male gender, older age, light pigmentation status, severe baldness, skin wrinkling, and high tendency for sunburn were significantly associated with extensive actinic damage (≥ 10 AKs) in the multivariate analyses. Especially bald males were at an increased risk of severe actinic skin damage (adjusted OR=7.0 (3.8-13.1)). The prevalence of AK is very high, especially among elderly bald males. The prevention and management of AK is a true challenge for patients, physicians, and health-care policymakers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Sophie C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Flohil
authors.forename: Robert J T
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: van der Leest
authors.forename: Emmilia A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Dowlatshahi
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hofman
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: de Vries
authors.forename: Tamar
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nijsten
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D055623:Keratosis, Actinic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D015595:Skin Aging; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D013471:Sunburn / Q000453:epidemiology*