Study Aims to Define Photosensitivity Diagnosis in Atopic Dermatitis

A new study aims to refine diagnostic criteria for photosensitivity in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).

“Previous reports have characterized photosensitivity in AD, but with differences in terminology and criteria,” the authors noted, suggesting a need for better guidance.

The research team enrolled 139 patients with AD in the study who were referred for photodiagnostic testing. They then reviewed clinical and photodiagnostic data and categorized photosensitivity as either Photo-Exacerbated AD (PEAD), Photo-Sensitive AD (PSAD), and Chronic Actinic Dermatitis (CAD). The patient cohort consisted of 61.9% male participants with a mean age of 42.6±16.7 years.

According to the results, PEAD patients (51.1%) showed normal monochromator phototesting. Those in the PSAD group (7.9%) showed slight-to-moderate UVA sensitivity and mostly normal/slightly reduced UVB MEDs (≥80% of normal MED).

Of the 41% of patients who had CAD, 93% exhibited significant sensitivity to UVB and/or very low sensitivity to UVA. There were no significant differences in sex, age, or skin phototype between study groups. The small sample size was cited as a limitation.

“This study highlights the heterogeneity of photosensitivity patterns in AD patients and the importance of follow-up assessments due to potential shifts in disease spectrum over time,” they concluded.

Source: Chaiyabutr C, et al. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2024. Doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2024.07.1502