title: A clinical study of the spectrum of photodermatoses in dark-skinned populations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Photodermatoses are characterized by an abnormal cutaneous response to 'ordinary' light exposure.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the spectrum of photodermatoses in populations with dark skin (skin types IV-VI) at a tertiary referral centre.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive patients with skin lesions confined to or predominantly located on photoexposed parts of the body and/or with photosensitivity were enrolled in the study, and their clinical details were recorded. Diagnosis was made on clinical grounds, and relevant investigations were carried out if required. Patch and photopatch testing were carried out in patients with chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD). Selected patients with CAD also underwent phototesting with UV (ultraviolet) A and broadband UVB light.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We enrolled 362 patients (146 men, 216 women; mean age 35.6 ± 13.6 years), with mean disease duration of 3.4 years. The Fitzpatrick skin types were IV and V (52.8% and 47.2% of patients, respectively). Polymorphic light eruption (PMLE) was the commonest photodermatosis seen, affecting 59.7% of patients, followed by CAD (13.8%), collagen vascular disorders (7.7%), photoaggravated atopic dermatitis (6.1%), actinic lichen planus (ALP; 2.2%) and lichen planus pigmentosus (LPP; 1.6%). The majority (84.5%) of patients were involved in indoor work. Papular PMLE (37%) was the most common variant of PMLE, followed by pinpoint (31%), eczematous (22.2%), lichenoid (5.5%) and plaque-type (4.1%) PMLE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The spectrum of photodermatoses in Indian patients with dark skin phototypes (IV and V), is similar to that reported from other parts of the world. PMLE was the commonest photodermatosis seen, with the pinpoint and lichenoid variants accounting for over one-third of the PMLE cases. ALP and LPP were also not uncommon in our dark-skinned population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Wadhwani
authors.forename: V K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ramam
authors.forename: B K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Khaitan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People; D044383:Black People; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D015995:Prevalence; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult