Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Becker’s Nevi in Young Jordanian Males

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of Becker’s nevus among young men in Jordan and to define its clinical characteristics. Method: We conducted a survey of all consecutive young male patients who were attending an entry medical examination for Mu’tah Military University in the years 2008 and 2012. The candidates underwent complete physical examination of the skin and the following demographic features were analyzed: age, skin phototype, district of origin, sun exposure, onset, awareness of lesion(s), site, size, hypertrichosis, and other associated features. Results: A sample of 9.862 teenager-males, aged 18-20 years, were examined. There were 642 Becker’s nevus cases diagnosed, with a prevalence of 6.5%. Only 8.1% admitted onset during preschool age. About 59.8% had onset during 12-15 years old, 13.4% during 15-20 years, and 13.1% during 6-12 years. In 36 cases (5.6%), the patient could not determine age of onset. A unilateral distribution was observed in all candidates. Upper chest and shoulders were involved in 68.3%, followed by arms (13.1%), lower trunk (8.8%), lower extremities (7.6%), forearms (1.7%), and head and neck (1.4%). Seven cases (1.1%) had Blaschkoid lines distribution. Lesional hypertrichosis was clinically evident in 484 Becker’s nevi (75.4%). Candidates with origin from north of Jordan had the highest prevalence. Seven cases showed associated features consistent with Becker’s nevus syndrome. Conclusion: We believe that Becker’s nevus is under-reported and has an earlier age of onset than it was believed. Our study showed a notably higher prevalence of Becker’s nevus than it has been reported before. Becker’s nevus syndrome should be always considered and searched for when examining patients with Becker’s nevus.