title: Dermoscopy of black skin: A cross-sectional study of clinical and dermoscopic features of melanocytic lesions in individuals with type V/VI skin compared to those with type I/II skin.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The identification of "normal" dermoscopic patterns of acquired melanocytic nevi provides better diagnostic accuracy for melanoma in people with black skin.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to describe melanocytic lesions (numbers and anatomic distributions) in skin types V and VI compared with skin types I and II, according to the Fitzpatrick classification. We sought to identify differences in dermoscopic findings in acquired melanocytic nevi (global pattern, pigment and color distribution) between the groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted cross-sectional, prospective, and consecutive data collection in 2 dermatologic outpatient clinics, between October 8, 2010, and March 20, 2013. From the 501 volunteers, 480 participants fulfilled the eligibility criteria. A total of 460 acquired melanocytic nevi were selected for dermoscopic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Individuals with skin type V/VI had fewer melanocytic lesions than those with skin type I/II (15.08 vs 7.90; P = .032), and the anatomic distribution in the first group was predominantly on the face and acral sites (P < .001). The acquired melanocytic nevi in the skin type V/VI group were associated with the reticular pattern (P < .0001), with a tendency toward central hyperpigmentation (P = .0025).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The choice of a single representative nevus per patient is a limitation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acquired melanocytic nevi in individuals with skin type V/VI have a distinct dermoscopic pattern from those with skin type I/II.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Dermatology, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil. Electronic address: brutuma@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Bruna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tuma
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine and Evidence-Based Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Álvaro Nagib
authors.initials: ÁN
authors.lastname: Atallah
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernanda Mendes
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Araujo
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sergio Henrique
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Hirata
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D046169:Dermoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012867:Skin; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: African descent; acquired melanocytic nevi; black people; dermoscopy; ethnic group; melanoma; skin surface microscopy