title: A quantitative assessment of the effects of formal sun protection education on photosensitive patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To quantitatively assess the effect of formal sun protection education on sun exposure habits and quality of life in photosensitive patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD) or polymorphous light eruption (PLE) were randomized to either the intervention or the control group. General advice about sun protection and broad-spectrum sunscreen were provided to all participants. The intervention group was given two additional intensive sun protection instruction classes at the beginning of spring and then in summer. At baseline and 12 months, each participant completed interviews that included a questionnaire about sun protection behaviors and a modified Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the intervention group, after the first intensive sun protection instruction, all aspects of sun exposure habits were significantly improved from baseline (P < 0.01). At study's end, there had been no significant change in sun exposure habits in the control group compared with baseline, whereas sun exposure habits in the intervention group significantly improved (P < 0.01). After two intensive sun protection training sessions, the modified DLQI significantly decreased in the intervention group compared with baseline (P < 0.001), while no change was observed in the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Formal sun protection education improved sun exposure and protection behaviors as well as quality of life in photosensitive patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Chunyun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Shuxian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Leihong
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xiang
authors.forename: Yue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Kefei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seite
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011788:Quality of Life; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: chronic actinic dermatitis; education; polymorphous light eruption