A clinicoepidemiological study of polymorphic light eruption.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The prevalence of polymorphic light eruption (PLE) varies between 10-20% in different countries but no such data is available from India, where exposure to sunlight is high.

METHODS

A clinico-epidemiological study of PLE was done in the skin outpatient department (OPD) of Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital from January to December.

RESULTS

The ages of the patients varied from 5-70 years. Out of a total of 39,112 OPD cases, 220 cases of PLE (138 females and 82 males) were recorded, giving a prevalence of 0.56% in this study population. The skin type varied between IV and VI in 96% of the cases. Housewives were 81, students 67, office persons 39, farmers 22, businessmen 6 and unemployed 5.

DISCUSSION

The manifestation of PLE was most common in housewives in areas exposed to the sun. Most of the PLE patients presented with mild symptoms and rash around the neck, forearms and arms which was aggravated on exposure to sunlight. PLE was more prevalent in the months of March and September and the disease was recurrent in 31.36% of the cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of PLE was 0.56%. It was mild in nature and only areas exposed to the sun were involved.