Abstract
Background: Previous reports have characterized photosensitivity in atopic dermatitis (AD), but with differences in terminology and criteria.
Objective: This study aims to assess outcomes in 139 AD patients referred for photodiagnostic testing and to establish diagnostic criteria for photosensitivity in AD.
Methods: Clinical and photodiagnostic data were reviewed, categorizing photosensitivity into Photo-Exacerbated AD (PEAD), Photo-Sensitive AD (PSAD), and Chronic Actinic Dermatitis (CAD).
Results: Of the patient cohort, mean age was 42.6±16.7 years and 61.9% were male. PEAD patients (51.1%) had normal monochromator phototesting. PSAD patients (7.9%) displayed slight-to-moderate UVA sensitivity (≥30% of normal minimal erythema dose [MED]) and mostly normal/slightly reduced UVB MEDs (≥80% of normal MED). Conversely, 41% of patients had CAD and 93% of this group demonstrated significant UVB sensitivity, with very low UVB MEDs (<80% of normal MED) and/or very low UVA MEDs (<30% of normal MED). No significant differences in sex, age, or skin phototype were observed between groups. Serial phototesting revealed changes in photosensitivity status over time in eight patients.
Limitations: Small sample size and retrospective design.
Conclusions: This study highlights the heterogeneity of photosensitivity patterns in AD patients and the importance of follow-up assessments due to potential shifts in disease spectrum over time.
Objective: This study aims to assess outcomes in 139 AD patients referred for photodiagnostic testing and to establish diagnostic criteria for photosensitivity in AD.
Methods: Clinical and photodiagnostic data were reviewed, categorizing photosensitivity into Photo-Exacerbated AD (PEAD), Photo-Sensitive AD (PSAD), and Chronic Actinic Dermatitis (CAD).
Results: Of the patient cohort, mean age was 42.6±16.7 years and 61.9% were male. PEAD patients (51.1%) had normal monochromator phototesting. PSAD patients (7.9%) displayed slight-to-moderate UVA sensitivity (≥30% of normal minimal erythema dose [MED]) and mostly normal/slightly reduced UVB MEDs (≥80% of normal MED). Conversely, 41% of patients had CAD and 93% of this group demonstrated significant UVB sensitivity, with very low UVB MEDs (<80% of normal MED) and/or very low UVA MEDs (<30% of normal MED). No significant differences in sex, age, or skin phototype were observed between groups. Serial phototesting revealed changes in photosensitivity status over time in eight patients.
Limitations: Small sample size and retrospective design.
Conclusions: This study highlights the heterogeneity of photosensitivity patterns in AD patients and the importance of follow-up assessments due to potential shifts in disease spectrum over time.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1086-1093 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology |
| Early online date | 20 Nov 2024 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 20 Nov 2024 |
Keywords
- atopic dermatitis
- chronic actinic dermatitis
- photoaggravated
- photoexacerbated
- photosensitivity
- phototesting