Phototesting in Oriental patients with lupus erythematosus

Light sensitivity is an important clinical characteristic of several forms of lupus erythematosus (LE). Recently, investigations have been able to ind uce LE-like lesions in LE patients with UVA as well as UVB, although most o f these studies were conducted in Caucasians. Thus, there is insufficient d ata on phototesting in Oriental patients with LE. The aim of this study was to evaluate light sensitivity in Oriental patients with LE. Fifteen patien ts with Various forms of LE were tested. Patients were evaluated by provoca tive phototesting, and threshold doses of UVA and UVB radiation that produc ed erythema and pigmentation were determined. The minimal erythema doses (M ED) of UVB, immediate pigment darkening (IPD), and minimal tanning doses (M TD) were within the normal range in LE patients compared to a control group . Skin lesions clinically and histologically compatible with LE were induce d in two of six patients with SLE, and four of nine patients with DLE. Thes e lesions developed in about 2 weeks (range 5 to 23 days) after irradiation and lasted approximately 1 to 3 months (47+/-24 days). The action spectrum of the induced lesions was within the WE range in four patients, in the UV A range in one patient, and in the UVB and UVA ranges in one patient. We fo und no correlation between a positive history for UV sensitivity and photot est reactions. In conclusion, the incidence of positive phototest reactions in Oriental patients with LE seems to be similar to or a little lower than in Caucasians. There was no correlation between a positive history for UV sensitivity and phototest reactions.