IngentaConnect The prevalence and determinants of solar keratoses at a subtropic...

Authors: Frost¹; Green²; Williams³

Source: British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 139, Number 6, December 1998 , pp. 1033-1039(7)

Abstract:

We report the association between skin pigmentation and individual sun exposure, and the occurrence of solar keratoses (SKs) in an unselected population, quantified for the first time. SKs were examined in a representative sample of 197 residents of the community of Nambour in Queensland, Australia. Estimates of sun exposure were combined with a measure of ultraviolet (UV) flux to estimate actual UV exposure, both occupational and recreational, during childhood and adult life. The number of episodes of painful sunburn was used as a measure of intermittent, intense UV exposure. Eighty-three participants (43%) had at least one SK, while 35 (18%) had more than 10 SKs diagnosed. The age- and sex-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for the development of SKs were higher in individuals with fair (OR = 14.1) or medium skin (OR = 6.5), compared with olive-skinned individuals. Individuals with poor ability to develop a suntan were similarly at increased risk compared with others. High levels of occupational UV exposure during adult life were confirmed as being strongly associated with prevalent SKs (OR = 2.4 for heavy/maximal adult exposure), with an even stronger association seen in those individuals with multiple SKs (OR = 4.3 for maximal adult exposure). Although no clear association was demonstrated between SK prevalence and accumulated childhood sun exposure, a history of even one episode of sunburn in childhood was strongly associated with SK prevalence (peak OR of 5.9 for one sunburn).

Document Type: Original article

DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2133.1998.02560.x

Affiliations: 1: Merck, Sharp and Dohme, P.O. Box 79, Granville, NSW 2142, Australia, 2: Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Qld 4029, Australia, 3: Australian Centre for International & Tropical Health & Nutrition, Brisbane, Qld 4029, Australia

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The prevalence and determinants of solar keratoses at a subtropical latitude (Queensland, Australia)