Photoaggravated atopic dermatitis (PAD) affects patients of different ages and skin phototypes (SPTs) and was linked with considerably impaired QOL, according to a study published in JAMA Dermatology. Mark D. Farrar, BsC, PhD, and colleagues used cross-sectional data from 120 patients diagnosed with PAD at a photobiology tertiary center referral unit. Among 869 patients who underwent photoinvestigation, 14% had PAD. All patients had a history of AD and 60% presented with sunlight-provoked or photodistributed eczema. For 78% of adult patients, past-year Dermatology Life Quality Index score was greater than 10; 69% had vitamin D level insufficiency or deficiency. For nearly all patients (93%), broad-band UV radiation provocation test results were positive. For 15%, photopatch test reactions were positive. Patients with SPTs V to VI were younger at photosensitivity onset, were more likely to be female, and had a lower vitamin D status and a higher frequency of abnormal monochromator phototest results.
