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. 2012 Feb;66(2):220-8.
doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2010.12.006. Epub 2011 Jul 13.

Prevalence of self-report photosensitivity in cutaneous lupus erythematosus

Kristen Foering  1 , Renato Goreshi, Rachel Klein, Joyce Okawa, Mathew Rose, Andrew Cucchiara, Victoria P Werth
Affiliations

Prevalence of self-report photosensitivity in cutaneous lupus erythematosus

Kristen Foering et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2012 Feb.

Abstract

Background: Little is known about the prevalence of self-reported photosensitivity (PS) and its effects on quality of life in a US cutaneous lupus population.

Objective: We sought to determine the prevalence of self-reported PS among a cutaneous lupus population and to examine its impact on quality of life.

Methods: A total of 169 patients with lupus were interviewed about PS symptoms and completed the modified Skindex-29+3, a quality-of-life survey. A complete skin examination was conducted and the Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index was completed.

Results: In all, 68% of patients reported some symptoms of PS. The PS group (those who reported a history of and current PS) scored worse on PS-related items of the modified Skindex-29+3 and had higher cutaneous disease activity as determined by the Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index. Patients with PS had worse symptoms and emotions and experienced significant functional impairments compared with patients who had cutaneous lupus without PS.

Limitations: This study was done at a single referral center.

Conclusions: Self-reported PS is very common among patients with cutaneous lupus and is associated with significant impairments related to symptoms, emotions, and daily functioning.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Prevalence of photosensitivity within each LE type
Over 75% of ACLE, SCLE, and >1 CLE subtype (comprised mostly of SCLE + another type of CLE) were photosensitive while subjects with DLE were least photosensitive with a prevalence of 45%.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Mean scores for photosensitivity items of Modified Skindex-29+3
The mean scores (mean + SEM) for photosensitivity items and photosensitivity subscale (PS Scale) by photosensitivity grouping. * indicates significant differences between the PS group and the NOT PS group; p< 0.05 with Bonferroni correction after ANOVA. # indicates significant differences between the PS group and the PS Suggestive group; p< 0.05 with Bonferroni correction after ANOVA.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Mean Modified Skindex-29+3 subscale scores between the PS and NOT PS group
The mean scores (mean + SEM) for the modified Skindex-29+3 subscales (emotion, symptoms, functioning) subscales. * the PS group scored worse on all three subscales of the modified Skindex-29+3 with p< 0.05.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Mean Modified Skindex-29+3 subscale scores across Hi/Low PS groups and Mild Activity/Moderate-Severe Activity strata
The mean scores (mean + SEM) for the modified Skindex-29+3 subscales (emotion, symptoms, functioning) subscales. ** the HI PS group scored worse than the Low PS group within each disease activity strata on all three subscales of the modified Skindex-29+3 with p< 0.01. # the Mild Activity, Hi PS group scored worse than the Mod-Sev Activity, Low PS group with p=0.01. ns = not significant
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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