Sun-protective behaviors in patients with cutaneous hyperpigmentation: A cross-sectional study

Publication date: Available online 16 February 2017
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Author(s): Mayra B.C. Maymone, Hind H. Neamah, Stephen A. Wirya, Nicole M. Patzelt, Pedro Q. Zancanaro, Neelam A. Vashi
BackgroundDisorders of hyperpigmentation are seen commonly in clinical practice. Despite numerous studies investigating sun-protective habits among healthy persons, little is known about these behaviors within patient populations with hyperpigmentation disorders.ObjectiveWe sought to examine photo-protective behaviors and their associations in individuals with disorders of hyperpigmentation.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted with 404 adults who complained of cutaneous hyperpigmentation.ResultsAbout 67.5% reported using a product containing sunscreen, and 91% endorsed using one with a sun protection factor of 21 or higher. Among the participants, 48.5% were not sure if their sunscreen provided broad-spectrum protection, and only 7.6% reapplied every 2 hours. The odds of a patient with melasma using sunscreen were 6.7 times the odds of a patient with postinflammatory hyperpigmentation using sunscreen (P < .001). Additional predictors for sunscreen use were female sex (OR = 3.8, P = .0004) and disease duration of ≥1 year (OR = 2.1, P = .003). In a multivariate analysis, the odds ratio of sunscreen use among African Americans compared to whites was 0.31 (P = .008).LimitationsLimitations included recall bias, question misinterpretation, and reporter bias.ConclusionPatients diagnosed with postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, men, and those with disease duration <1 year reported lower sunscreen usage. These groups might benefit from increased counseling on sun-protective behaviors.



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