Clinico-epidemiological Profile and Photoprotective Behaviour among Patients with Photodermatosis: A Hospital-based Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction 
Photodermatoses (PD) encompass a spectrum of skin conditions induced or exacerbated by sunlight. There is limited data on their clinico-epidemiological profile in Nepal. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and study the clinic-epidemiological profile and photoprotective behaviour among patients with photodermatoses.

Methods
This hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2023 to August 2024 in the outpatient department of dermatology of a tertiary care centre. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee. The number of patients diagnosed with PD were determined using Sukraa Hospital Information Management System software, V1.2.24.5 for the calculation of prevalence. Non-probability convenience sampling was used. A total of 69 patients clinically diagnosed with photodermatoses were included in study. Data were collected using a structured proforma and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.

Results
Prevalence of photodermatitis was 2.24% (338/15116). Polymorphic light eruption was the most common diagnosis 48 (69.57%), followed by photo-contact dermatitis. The prevalence was higher among females 41 (59.42%), with a mean age of 37.21±18.18 years. Most patients were in the 21–30 years age group. The neck 28 (28.28%) and face 20 (20.20%) were the most commonly affected sites, and papules were the predominant lesion morphology 41(42.27%). Only 15 (21.74%) used photoprotective measures, of which sunscreen was the most common 10 (66.67%).

Conclusion
Polymorphic light eruption was the most common type of photodermatosis, particularly among females and younger individuals. There was a notably low use of photoprotective measures among patients with PD, particularly sunscreen usage.