Spectrum of idiopathic photodermatoses in a Mediterranean country

Stratigos, AJ; Antoniou, C; Papathanakou, E; Daboudi, M; Tranaka, K; Tsara, K; Katsambas, AD

dc.contributor.author	Stratigos, AJ	en
dc.contributor.author	Antoniou, C	en
dc.contributor.author	Papathanakou, E	en
dc.contributor.author	Daboudi, M	en
dc.contributor.author	Tranaka, K	en
dc.contributor.author	Tsara, K	en
dc.contributor.author	Katsambas, AD	en
dc.date.accessioned	2014-03-01T01:53:14Z
dc.date.available	2014-03-01T01:53:14Z
dc.date.issued	2003	en
dc.identifier.issn	0011-9059	en
dc.identifier.uri	https://dspace.lib.ntua.gr/xmlui/handle/123456789/26889
dc.subject.classification	Dermatology	en
dc.subject.other	POLYMORPHOUS LIGHT ERUPTION	en
dc.subject.other	CHRONIC ACTINIC DERMATITIS	en
dc.subject.other	SKIN-LESIONS	en
dc.subject.other	REPRODUCTION	en
dc.title	Spectrum of idiopathic photodermatoses in a Mediterranean country	en
heal.type	journalArticle	en
heal.language	English	en
heal.publicationDate	2003	en
heal.abstract	Background Idiopathic photodermatoses are considered to be common disorders in the population of northern latitude countries, presumably because of the dominance of more "sun-sensitive" individuals with a light-skinned complexion. The incidence of these disorders in the Mediterranean or tropical countries is often under-appreciated because of the higher degree of perennial presence of sunlight and the prevalence of darker skin-type individuals who are seemingly more resistant to the development of sun sensitivity. Methods We performed a retrospective, chart-based review of all patients who were diagnosed with idiopathic photodermatoses at a photodermatology referral center in Athens, Greece, during a period of 10 years. Our aim was to assess the pattern of idiopathic photosensitivity disorders in a Mediterranean country and to determine their epidemiological, clinical, and photobiological profile. Results A total of 310 patients were referred to our center with symptoms of photosensitivity. One hundred and forty-six patients (47.0%) were diagnosed with an idiopathic photosensitivity disorder by means of history, clinical examination, biochemical screening, histology, and phototesting. The most prevalent disorder was polymorphous light eruption, which was diagnosed in 95 patients (65.0%) of our cohort. Chronic actinic dermatitis occurred in 15 patients (10.2%), solar urticaria in 26 patients (17.8%), actinic prurigo in three patients (2.0%), hydroa vacciniforme in one patient (0.6%) and juvenile spring eruption in six patients (4.1%). Conclusions Compared with the results of other studies, the prevalence of idiopathic photodermatoses appears to have a similar trend to that of higher latitude countries. Distinct features in our series include the higher incidence of idiopathic photosensitivity in patients with a fair-skinned complexion (skin types II-III) and the frequent appearance of photo-induced eruptions during sunny weather breaks in the winter period.	en
heal.publisher	BLACKWELL PUBLISHING LTD	en
heal.journalName	INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY	en
dc.identifier.isi	ISI:000183306700006	en
dc.identifier.volume	42	en
dc.identifier.issue	6	en
dc.identifier.spage	449	en
dc.identifier.epage	454	en