Results of evaluation of 203 patients for photosensitivity in a 7.3-year period

Abstract

Background: Although photosensitivity disorders have been well described, their incidence in a referral institution had not been studied. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of photosensitivity disorders, including photocontact dermatitis, in a academic medical center. Methods: The results of the assessment of 203 consecutive patients, all of whom had phototests, referred for the evaluation of photosensitivity disorders during a 7.3-year period were reviewed. Results: The mean age was 50 years, and 63% of the patients were women. The most frequent diagnoses were polymorphous light eruption (26% of the total patient population), chronic actinic dermatitis (17%), photoallergic contact dermatitis (8%), systemic phototoxicity to therapeutic agents (7%), and solar urticaria (4%). Positive photopatch reactions, patch test reactions, or both were observed in 40 (29%) of the 138 tested patients. The frequencies of the positive photopatch test reactions were sunscreens (57%), fragrances (18%), and antimicrobial agents (13%). Of the positive patch test responses, fragrances elicited 47% of the total positive reactions, followed by sunscreens (39%) and antimicrobial agents (7%). Conclusion: Polymorphous light eruption, chronic actinic dermatitis, and photoallergic contact dermatitis were the most frequently made diagnoses. Sunscreens, fragrances, and antimicrobial agents were the most common clinically relevant photoallergens and allergens.