RESULTS OF EVALUATION OF 203 PATIENTS FOR PHOTOSENSITIVITY IN A 7.3-YEAR PERIOD

Background: Although photosensitivity disorders have been well describ ed, their incidence in a referral institution had not been studied. Ob jective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of ph otosensitivity disorders, including photocontact dermatitis, in an aca demic medical center. Methods: The results of the assessment of 203 co nsecutive patients, all of whom had phototests, referred for the evalu ation of photosensitivity disorders during a 7.3-year period were revi ewed. 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 the rapeutic agents (7%), and solar urticaria (4%). Positive photopatch re actions, patch test reactions, or both were observed in 40 (29%) of th e 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 elicite d 47% of the total positive reactions, followed by sunscreens (39%) an d antimicrobial agents (7%). Conclusion: Polymorphous light eruption, chronic actinic dermatitis, and photoallergic contact dermatitis were the most frequently made diagnoses. Sunscreens, fragrances, acid antim icrobial agents were the most common clinically relevant photoallergen s and allergens.