Efficacy of oral lycopene supplementation for photoprotection in Filipino patients in a Tertiary Hospital in Makati: A single-blind randomized controlled trial

Background@#Ultraviolet radiation has been proven to result in unwarranted effects on the skin through reactive oxygen species (ROS) and direct DNA damage. Lycopene, a naturally occurring substance, acts as an antioxidant by neutralizing ROS.@*Objective@#The objective of the study was to determine the efficacy of oral lycopene supplementation for photoprotection in adult Filipino patients seen in a tertiary hospital in Makati City.@*Design@#The study design involves single-blind, parallel, randomized controlled trial.@*Methods@#Thirty-six Filipino patients aged 18 years old and above with Fitzpatrick Skin Phototype (FSP) III–V were divided into two groups using a computer-generated randomization. Group A received lycopene 500 mg/ soft gel capsule two capsules per orem once daily for 12 weeks, while Group B received no intervention during the entire observation period. Minimal erythema dose (MED) of patients from both groups was assessed by a single treatment-blinded reader at baseline, week 6, and week 12.@*Results@#Group A showed a significant increase in MED across periods, with a 20.83% increase from baseline at week 6 and a 43.06% increase at week 12. Group B MED remained constant from baseline to week 6 and to week 12. These results show that there is a significant effect in the increase in MED as compared to the control group.@*Conclusion@#Oral lycopene is effective in increasing the MED of patients and may be used for photoprotection among patients with FSP III–V.

Caracterización clínico-epidemiológica de pacientes con daño actínico crónico. Cochabamba, Bolivia / Clinical-epidemiological characterization of patients with chronic actinic damage. Cochabamba, Bolivia

RESUMEN Introducción: el daño actínico crónico es un grupo de alteraciones en la estructura, función y apariencia de la piel como resultado de la exposición no controlada a las radiaciones ultravioletas. Puede provocar el cáncer de piel. Objetivo: caracterizar a los pacientes con daño actínico crónico, atendidos en la consulta de Dermatología del Hospital Comunitario Valle Hermoso, en el departamento de Cochabamba, Bolivia. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio clínico descriptivo, prospectivo, en un universo de 1 833 pacientes diagnosticados con daño actínico crónico, atendidos en la consulta de Dermatología del Hospital Comunitario Valle Hermoso, en Cochabamba, entre septiembre de 2017 y septiembre de 2018. Se evaluaron las variables edad, sexo, color y fototipo de piel, ocupación, uso de medios de protección solar, exposición a otro tipo de radiaciones, manifestaciones clínicas de fotodaño y altitud del lugar de residencia. Resultados: predominaron el grupo de edad de 25 a 59 años, el sexo femenino, el color de piel mestizo (77,08 %), el fototipo de piel IV (76,98 %) y la ocupación comerciante (72,56 %). La mayoría de los pacientes (82,7 %) no utilizaron medios de protección solar, y el 99,8 % no tuvieron exposición a otro tipo de radiaciones. Las lesiones por fotodaño que prevalecieron fueron melasma (83,03 %) y lentigos (12,22 %). El 99,29 % vivían en zonas de gran altitud. Conclusiones: se caracterizaron los pacientes con daño actínico crónico, obteniendo en algunas variables estudiadas resultados similares a los mencionados por otros investigadores (AU).

ABSTRACT Introduction: chronic actinic damage is a group of alterations in the structure, function, and appearance of the skin as a result of uncontrolled exposure to ultraviolet radiation. It can cause skin cancer. Objective: to characterize the patients with chronic actinic damage, treated at the Dermatology consultation of Valle Hermoso Community Hospital, in the department of Cochabamba, Bolivia. Materials and methods: a descriptive, prospective clinical study was conducted in a universe of 1,833 patients diagnosed with chronic actinic damage, treated at the Dermatology clinic of the Valle Hermoso Community Hospital, Cochabamba, between September 2017 and September 2018. The variables age, sex, skin color, skin phototype, occupation, use of sun protectors, exposure to other types of radiation, clinical manifestations of photodamage and altitude of the place of residence were evaluated. Results: the age group from 25 to 59 years, the female sex, mestizo skin color (77.08 %), the IV skin phototype (76.98 %) and merchant occupation (72.56 %) predominated. Most patients (82.7 %) did not use sun protection means, and 99.8 % had no other radiation exposure. The prevailing photodamage lesions were melasma (83.03 %) and lentigo (12.22 %). 99.29 % lived in high altitude areas. Conclusions: the patients with chronic actinic damage were characterized, obtaining in some variables studied results similar to those mentioned by other researchers (AU).

Dermatosis en pacientes geriátricos / Dermatoses in geriatric patients

Introducción: El envejecimiento cutáneo es parte de un proceso de deterioro endógeno y exógeno en las células. Los cambios degenerativos y metabólicos que ocurren, hacen a esta población vulnerable a afecciones dermatológicas. Objetivo: Definir las enfermedades cutáneas frecuentes en pacientes geriátricos, atendidos en consulta de dermatología. Métodos: Se realizó una investigación observacional descriptiva transversal, en pacientes geriátricos atendidos en la consulta de Dermatología en la Policlínica de Combatientes de Ciego de Ávila, en el periodo comprendido de enero a diciembre del 2019. La serie de estudio se conformó con 144 adultos mayores. Las variables estudiadas fueron: edad, sexo, color de piel, fototipos cutáneos, afecciones dermatológicas, localización y morbilidades asociadas. Resultados: Predominaron los adultos mayores entre 70 y 79 años (53,5 por ciento), del sexo masculino (50,7 por ciento). El 63,9 por ciento de los pacientes tenía fototipo cutáneo III. Las dermatosis más frecuentes fueron la púrpura senil (34 por ciento) y queratosis seborreica (25 por ciento), fueron más afectados los adultos mayores de piel blanca (69,4 por ciento). Las dermatosis en la cara y extremidades fueron las más frecuentes (53,5 por ciento y 17,4 por ciento). El 46,6 por ciento de los pacientes padecían de afecciones del sistema osteomioarticular, seguido por la hipertensión arterial (18,5 por ciento) y diabetes mellitus (12,6 por ciento). Conclusiones: Predominaron los adultos mayores del sexo masculino de 70 a 79 años, con fototipo cutáneo III. La púrpura senil, la queratosis seborreica y la xerosis fueron afecciones frecuentes en ancianos de piel blanca. Se destacaron las lesiones limitadas a la cara(AU)

Introduction: Skin aging is part of an endogenous and exogenous deterioration process in cells. The degenerative and metabolic changes that occur make this population vulnerable to dermatological conditions. Objective: To define frequent skin diseases in geriatric patients, seen in a dermatology office. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive observational investigation was carried out in geriatric patients treated in the Dermatology consultation at the Policlínica de los Combatientes, Ciego de Ávila, in the period from January to December 2019. The study series consisted of 144 older adults. The variables studied were: age, sex, skin color, skin phototypes, dermatological conditions, location and associated morbidities. Results: Older adults between 70 and 79 years old (53,5 percent), male (50,7 percent) predominated. 63,9 percent of the patients had skin phototype III. The most frequent dermatoses were senile purpura (34 percent) and seborrheic keratosis (25 percent), older adults with white skin were more affected (69,4 percent). Dermatoses on the face and extremities were the most frequent (53,5 percent and 17,4 percent). 46,6 percent of the patients suffered from disorders of the osteomyoarticular system, followed by arterial hypertension (18,5 percent) and diabetes mellitus (12,6 percent). Conclusions: Older male adults from 70 to 79 years old, with skin phototype III predominated. Senile purpura, seborrheic keratosis, and xerosis were common conditions in white-skinned elderly. Lesions limited to the face were highlighted(AU)

The Effect of Narrowband Ultraviolet B Phototherapy on Vitamin D Status in Psoriasis Patients with Skin Phototype III, IV and V

Background@#Narrowband ultraviolet-B (NBUVB) is an effective treatment option for psoriasis. Vitamin D insufficiency is common in psoriasis patients. We assessed the effect of NBUVB on vitamin D levels amongst psoriasis patients with skin phototype III, IV and V.@*Methods@#Psoriasis patients planned for NBUVB phototherapy were enrolled in a prospective cohort study in Hospital Putrajaya and Hospital Kuala Lumpur from May 2020-December 2020. NBUVB phototherapy was given twice weekly for 12 weeks. Serum 25 (OH)D level was measured at baseline and at week 12.@*Results@#A total of 21(63.6%) male and 12(36.4%) female patients aged 18-66 years participated. Majority were Fitzpatrick skin phototype (FSP) IV (66.7%) followed by FSP V (21.2%) and FSP III (12.1%). Serum 25(OH)D increased significantly (p<0.001) from 52.09±21.43 nmol/L at baseline to 72.80±19.56 nmol/L at week 12 with the most increment seen in skin type V. There was also a significant improvement seen in Body Surface Area (BSA) involvement after 12 weeks of phototherapy (p<0.001). There was no correlation seen between BSA at week 12 with serum 25(OH)D and percentage of serum 25(OH) D increment.@*Conclusion@#NBUVB phototherapy increases the level of serum 25(OH)D in psoriasis patients with darker skin types while simultaneously clearing psoriasis.

Sun Exposure Among Healthy Adults in a Health Facility

@#Introduction: Sun exposure is a risk for skin cancer but is beneficial for multiple other diseases. Recommendations for photoprotection are well defined, guidelines for optimal sun exposure is not clear. We determined sun exposure in healthy adults, considering their skin phototype and amount of skin exposed. Methods: A cross sectional study was performed involving healthy adults working in a tertiary health facility. Fitzpatrick skin phototype quiz was used to determine skin phototype. Sun exposure was quantified as an index (SEI); body surface area exposed times duration of exposure. Results: We recruited 167 volunteers, 110(66%) women and 56(34%) men. Mean age was 29.77±6.58 years, 124(74.7%) were Malay, 27(16.3%) Chinese, 14(8.4%) Indians and 1(0.6%) of other ethnicity. Fitzpatrick skin phototypes were 30(18.1%) type III, 109(65.7%) type IV and 27(16.3%) type V. Exposed body surface area was 13.96±8.33% in males and 14.55±9.58% in females. The duration of sun exposure per week in males was 11.52±6.11hours and 10.71±5.75 hours in females. Mean SEI was 160 ±144. The SEI in females was 158 ±151, 164 ±130 in males, p value =0.81. There were no significant differences in SEI between gender and skin phototypes. Conclusion: SEI was very low in our study population due to limited body surface area exposed and duration of sun exposure. SEI was higher in darker skin and males, however these were not statistically significant.

Prediction system of erythemas for phototypes I and II, using deep-learning / Sistema de predicción de eritema para fototipo I y II, utilizando deep-learning

Background: The sun is a natural source of electromagnetic radiation, upon which are found the ultraviolet (UV) rays, where only the types A and B are able to irradiate over the surface of the Earth in different proportions. Although the sun helps human skin in the formation of vitamin D, the mineralization of bones, and absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the organism, it can cause damage on the skin by prolonged exposure to UV radiation, generating adverse effects on human health like erythema formation, photo-toxicity, photo-allergy, idiopathic lesions, and photo-dermatitis, among others. This paper, shows the results of developing a prediction system of the exposure time of a person to UV rays coming from the sun, which can cause erythema on human skin, using the standards in UV index and the dose limits of radiation allowed for phototypes I and II, aiming to foresee the generation of these kind of lesions. This was made by the implementation of artificial intelligence algorithms like Deep Belief Networks and Backpropagation, based in the Deep Learning technique. These algorithms use as training parameters for the neural network, the meteorological data such as the sky clearness index, the radiation on the horizontal surface and average air temperature, supplied by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). With the data, a neural network aiming to foresee the UV index for the following year of the data input was trained, in addition some mathematical regressions were applied allowing in this way, to obtain an approach to the behavior of the UV index along the day. Likewise, this information was used to estimate the maximum time of sun exposure, for the period of time contained between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. This paper, also presents some conclusions based in the results found, which try to establish some important considerations in order to implement the neural networks.

Resumen: El sol es una fuente natural de radiación electromagnética, en la cual se encuentran presentes los rayos ultravioleta (UV), de los cuales solo los tipos A y B (de Paula Corrêa, 2005) pueden irradiar sobre la superficie de la tierra en distintas proporciones. Aunque el sol le ayuda a la piel en el proceso de formación de la vitamina D, además de favorecer la mineralización de los huesos, y la absorción de calcio y fosforo en el organismo, puede ocasionar daños sobre la piel ante exposiciones prolongadas a la radiación UV, generando efectos adversos sobre la salud humana como eritemas, foto toxicidad, foto alergia, lesio nes idiopáticas, foto dermatitis, entre otras. En este trabajo, se presentan los resultados del desarrollo de un sistema de predicción del tiempo de exposición de una persona, a rayos UV provenientes del sol, que pueden producir eritemas sobre la piel, utilizando la estandarización del índice ultravioleta y los límites de dosis de radiación permitidos para los fototipos cutáneos I y II, con el objetivo de prever la generación de este tipo de lesiones. Esto se realizó a través de la implementación de algoritmos de inteligencia artificial como Deep Belief Networks y Backpropagation, basados en la técnica de Deep Learning. Este algoritmo, utiliza como parámetros de entrenamiento para la red neuronal, los datos meteorológicos como el índice de cielo despejado, la radiación sobre la superficie horizontal de la tierra, y la temperatura promedio del día, provistos por National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Con estos datos se entrenó una red neuronal con el objeto de pronosticar el índice UV del año posterior a los datos de entrada, adicionalmente se aplicaron algunas regresiones matemáticas permitiendo de esta manera, obtener una aproximación al comportamiento del índice UV a lo largo del día. De igual manera, esta información se empleó para estimar los tiempos de exposición solar máximos, para el periodo de tiempo comprendido entre las 6:00 a.m. y las 6:00 p.m. En este artículo, también se presentan algunas conclusiones basadas en los resultados encontrados, las cuales tratan de establecer algunas consideraciones importantes para implementar este tipo de redes neuronales.

Ethnic aspects of vitamin D deficiency / Aspectos étnicos da deficiência de vitamina D

Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to bone fragility in children and adults, and to an increased risk of chronic diseases. The main sources of vitamin D are the diet and cutaneous synthesis, the latter being the most important one, since foods are relatively poor in vitamin D. The main factors influencing this endogenous production are the seasons, the time of day, latitude and skin phototype. Due to the contribution of sun exposure in maintaining vitamin D levels, it would be expected that this deficiency would be more prevalent in countries at a high latitude; it has been shown, however, that hypovitaminosis D is commonly found in tropical regions such as Brazil. In high latitude regions in which extreme skin phototypes have been compared, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is more common in people with originally darker skin who have a natural barrier to the already lower UV irradiation penetrating the skin. In Brazil, particularly in the areas where sun rays are more abundant, the difference in sunlight exposure between subjects showed no significant variation in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD). .

A deficiência de vitamina D tem sido associada à fragilidade óssea em crianças e adultos e ao aumento do risco de doenças crônicas. As principais fontes de vitamina D são a dieta e a síntese cutânea, sendo esta última a mais importante, uma vez que os alimentos são relativamente pobres em vitamina D. Os principais fatores que influenciam essa produção endógena são as estações do ano, a hora do dia, a latitude e o fototipo de pele. Devido à contribuição da exposição solar em manter os níveis de vitamina D, seria de esperar que essa deficiência fosse mais prevalente nos países com alta latitude; no entanto, a hipovitaminose D é comumente encontrada em regiões tropicais como o Brasil. Em regiões de alta latitude em que os extremos de fototipos de pele foram comparados à prevalência de deficiência de vitamina D, é mais comum em pessoas com pele originalmente mais escura que têm uma barreira natural à já baixa penetração da irradiação UV na pele. No Brasil, particularmente nas áreas mais ensolaradas, a diferença de exposição solar entre os indivíduos não mostrou variação significativa nos níveis séricos de 25-hidroxivitamina D (25OHD).

Spectrophotometric Measurement of Minimal Erythema Dose Sites after Narrowband Ultraviolet B Phototesting: Clinical Implication of Spetrophotometric Values in Phototherapy

BACKGROUND: The spectrophotometer is well known to be a useful tool for estimating the objective minimal erythema dose (MED) during planning of phototherapy protocol. However, only a few spectrophotometric values are used to evaluate the erythema and pigmentation of the MED site during phototesting. OBJECTIVE: To determinea new meaning of the relationships among spectrophotometric values during phototesting. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with psoriasis and 23 patients with vitiligo were selected before undergoing narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy. We interpreted the gross findings of erythema and measured the L*a*b* values using a spectrophotometer at each phototest spot. We compared MEDs, basic spectrophotometric values (L*a*b*), and b*/L* values separately according to skin type, and determined the correlation of each spectrophotometric value and the correlation between a* and b*/L* values. RESULTS: Among L*a*b* values, only b* values showed a statistically significant difference between the type III and IV groups (p=0.003). There was a positive correlation only between MEDs and b* values (p<0.05). The average b*/L*value in the type IV group was significantly higher than the type III group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The higher b* values in type IV skin indicates that skin tanning develops more prominently than type III. The correlation between MEDs and b* values may signify that the skin pigmentation status is deepened with the higher MEDs. The difference in b*/L*values between type III and IV skin reflects that the b*/L*value is thought to be an index of tanning. The a* value, known as an index of erythema, does not influence the degree of tanning.

Determinación de la influencia de la altitud en el índice de protección natural (IPN) de la piel y el factor de protección solar requerido (SPF) / Determination of the influence of altitude on the contents of natural protection (IPN) skin and sun protection factor required (SPF)

Se evalúa la influencia de la altitud sobre el Índice de Protección Natural (IPN) y el Factor de Protección Solar requerido (SPF) comparando niños de Mucuchies, Mérida, Venezuela (3100 m.s.n.m.) y Palmarito, Mérida, Venezuela (5 m.s.n.m.), utilizando el equipo Sun Protection Diagnostic SP 37®. Según el análisis de los resultados a través de estadísticas descriptivas, se evidencia que el IPN y el SPF son variables dependientes de la altitud de la localidad en que se encuentran los niños, ya que en las localidades más altas los rayos solares inciden de forma más directa que en las más bajas.

It is evaluated the effect of altitude on Natural Protection Index (IPN) and the required Sun Protection Factor (SPF) comparing children Mucuchies, Merida, Venezuela (3100 m) and Palmarito, Merida, Venezuela (5 m) using Sun Protection Diagnostic SP37® equipment. According to the analysis of results through descriptive statistics, it appears that the IPN and the SPF are variable dependent on the altitude of the locality in which children are, as in the most high solar rays more directly than in the lowest.

Identification of skin phototypes through in vivo photoacoustic measurements / Identificação dos fototipos de pele através de medidas fotoacústicas in vivo

The aim of the present work was to classify and identify skin phototypes through in vivo photoacoustic (PA) measurements. Fifty-seven female volunteers took part in the study, being clinically evaluated and classified according to skin phototype (Fitzpatrick classification). After cleaning the skin area to be measured, the PA signal level was obtained for the inner and outer faces of both forearms. Volunteers were then classified according to the respective PA signal amplitude; subsequently, this classification was compared to the phototype classification and to the recently proposed Baumann classification. Comparison between the PA signal of the inner and outer faces of the forearm shows a highly significant statistical difference (p < 0.005), attributed to the higher pigmentation level of the skin region continuously exposed to solar radiation, demonstrating that skin constitution and aspect are influenced by the level of sun exposure. Comparison among phototypes was performed separately for the inner and outer faces of the forearm. The results show that the PA signal level (amplitude) for the inner forearm tends to scale with skin phototype, also allowing the division of the volunteers in two groups, according to their pigmentation levels and also following the recent Baumann classification. In this way, the photoacoustic methodology presented allows an objective, numerical classification of the skin types.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi de identificar e classificar os fototipos de pele através de mensurações fotoacústicas (PA) utilizada para caracterizar a pele em função da amplitude do sinal observado in vivo. Participaram do estudo cinquenta e sete mulheres voluntárias que incialmente foram avaliadas e classificadas de acordo com o fototipo da pele (classificação de Fritzpatrick). Foram realizadas medidas nas regiões interna e externa de ambos os antebraços, após a limpeza do mesmo com álcool 70%. As voluntárias foram classificadas de acordo com o sinal fotoacústico, em seguida comparados com a classificação proposta recentemente por Baumann. A comparação entre o sinal PA das faces interna e externa do antebraço mostra uma diferença altamente significativa (p < 0,005), atribuída ao maior nível de pigmentação da pele da região continuamente expostos à radiação solar, demonstrando que a constituição do aspecto da pele é influenciada pelo nível de exposição ao sol. A comparação entre os fototipos foi realizada separadamente para as faces interna e externa do antebraço. Os resultados mostram que o nível (amplitude) do sinal PA para a parte interna do antebraço tende a seguir a classificação em fototipos, permitindo também a divisão de voluntários em dois grupos, conforme o nível de pigmentação, seguindo assim a classificação recentemente proposta por Baumann. Assim, a metodologia fotoacústica apresentada permite uma classificação objetiva, numérica, dos tipos de pele.

Dermatosis frecuentes en pacientes geriátricos de la ciudad de Matanzas / Frequent dermatosis in geriatric patients of Matanzas

Introducción: las enfermedades dermatológicas a pesar de no constituir causa de mortalidad dentro la población cubana, es uno de los factores generadores de morbilidad apreciados con frecuencia en los adultos mayores, con gran repercusión estética y posibilidad de malignización.Objetivo: definir las dermatosis frecuentes en los pacientes geriátricos de la ciudad de Matanzas.Métodos: diseño: estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal. Universo: conformado por 25 377 adultos mayores, pertenecientes a las siete áreas de salud de la ciudad de Matanzas. Muestra: 380 pacientes geriátricos portadores de afecciones dermatológicas. Variables: sexo, edad, color de la piel, fototipo cutáneo, nivel de escolaridad.Resultados: se detectó como promedio un 7,6 por ciento de afecciones dermatológicas en los casos del estudio; predominó el sexo femenino, y el grupo etario comprendido entre 60 a 64 años de edad. Prevalecieron los pacientes de piel blanca y del fototipo cutáneo II, con un nivel de escolaridad bajo (secundario)

Introduction: although the dermatological diseases are not a cause of mortality among the Cuban population, they are one of the factors generating morbidity that are frequently appreciated in elder people, with a great esthetic repercussion and possibility of getting malignant. Objective: to define the frequent dermatosis in geriatric patients of Matanzas.Methods: design: Cross-sectional, descriptive, observational study.Universe composed by 25 377 elder people of seven health areas of Matanzas. Sample: 380 geriatric patients carrying dermatologic diseases. Variables: genre, age, race, skin phototype, scholarship. Results: we found an average of 7,6 per cent of dermatologic diseases in the cases studied; there it was a predominance of the female genre and of the age group from 60 to 64 years old. There it was also a prevalence of the white skin and the skin phototype II, with a low scholarship (junior high school)

Conocimientos y actitudes de la población mexicana con respecto a la radiación solar / Knowledge and attitudes of Mexican population concerning solar radiation

Antecedentes. Los efectos de la radiación solar en la salud humana dependen del ambiente, costumbres y predisposición genética. Objetivo. Identificar el fenotipo, los hábitos, los conocimientos y las medidas preventivas con respecto a la exposición solar de la población local. Métodos. Se realizó una encuesta a la población mayor de 15 años en relación con su tiempo de exposición solar, las formas de protección empleadas y sus conocimientos generales sobre los efectos nocivos. Resultados. Se hicieron y analizaron 964 encuestas. El fototipo se distribuye entre población de piel blanca (7.4% de los encuestados), población de piel morena clara (24.8%) y de piel morena oscura (67.8%). La exposición solar en días laborables fue menor a 15 minutos por día en el 27.8% de los casos y mayor a 60 minutos en el 38.8%; no se observó variación significativa en estos porcentajes similares en fines de semana. En cuanto a la protección a al exposición solar, el 30% de nuestra población no se protege del sol, el 25.5% busca sombra, el 41% utiliza sombreros y el 11.8% usa protector solar. El 85.4% reconoce que la radiación solar causa cáncer cutáneo, el 64.1% que es fatal, el 83.4% que acelera el envejecimiento y sólo el 26.5% considera que el bronceado es saludable. Conclusión. A pesar de que la mayor parte de la población reconoce que el sol causa envejecimiento y cáncer cutáneo, su exposición solar es prolongada. Estos hallazgos pueden ser de utilidad para el diseño de campañas destinadas a educar a grupos vulnerables.

BACKGROUND: The effects of solar radiation in human health is dependent upon environment, behavior, and genetic characteristics. OBJECTIVE: Identify phenotypic features, attitudes, knowledge and preventive measures concerning sun exposure among a local population. METHODS: People older than 15 years were interviewed concerning time of sun exposure, photoprotection, and general knowledge about adverse effects of sun irradiation. RESULTS: 964 questionnaires were analyzed. White-skin population represented 7.4%, light-brown 24.8%, dark-brown 67.8%. Exposure time on working days was up to 15 min in 27.8%, and more than 60 min in 38.8%. On weekends, time exposure was similar. 30% did not take any preventive measures 41% wore hats and 11.8% used sunscreens. Among participants, 85.4% were aware that sun exposure caused skin cancer, 64. 1% knew that mortality is increased, 83.4% reported that excessive sun exposure is related to aging of the skin, and 26.5% believed tanning is healthy. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of thefact that a great majority of the population recognized that sun exposure produces aging and skin cancer, their exposure is widespread. This survey may be a valuable tool to design preventive public health campaigns that target high risk groups.

Classification of the Skin Phototype According to UVB Induced Minimal Erythema Dose in Young Korean Adults / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: We predicted that the self-reporting questionnaire proposed by Fitzpatrick might not be appropriate for classifying the skin phototype in Korean people. OBJECTIVE: We classified the skin phototypes in Korean people by measuring the minimal erythema dose (MED) of UVB on the basis of MEDs of skin type proposed by Pathak and Fitzpatrick. METHODS: Two hundred and eighty-four male Korean medical students participated in this study. We irradiated UVB with Waldmann UV 800 and measured MEDs after 24 hours. RESULTS: The mean MED was 70.1+/-21.3 mJ/cm2. Most of the MEDs were 70, 60, 50 mJ/cm2 in the order of frequency. On the basis of the skin type proposed by Pathak and Fitzpatrick, the most frequent phototype was the skin type V(56.3%) by MED. 20.8% and 13.8% of the subjects corresponded to the skin types UV and III, respectively. 9.1% of the subjects fell into the UV sensitive group, skin type l and II. CONCLUSION: Using these results as groundwork, simple and precisely applicable classification of skin phototype in Korean people needs to be established.