MEASUREMENT OF ACTINIC ERYTHEMA IN HEALTHY-SUBJECTS AND IN SUBJECTS WITH POLYMORPHOUS LIGHT ERUPTION USING A TRISTIMULUS COLORIMETER

Background: The assessment of actinic erythema using a tristimulus col orimeter has only been reported from healthy volunteers but never from subjects with photodermatosis. Objective: The aim of this study was t o analyse the difference of chromometric measurements in patients with polymorphous light eruption Versus healthy subjects. Methods: Seventy -two subjects were subdivided according to two criteria: skin colour a nd clinical state. Measurements were done on a non-irradiated site and at the clinical minimal erythema dose site in the L, a* and b* modes . Results: The data submitted to two-way analysis of variance demonstr ate the influence of skin colour and clinical state on the above param eters. Conclusion: Chromometric measurements of L help to differentia te skin colour, whereas those of a enable the discrimination of healt hy subjects from those with photodermatosis.