Publication:

A clinico-epidemiological study of polymorphic light eruption in a tertiary care centre in Salem: a region of South India

Introduction Polymorphic light eruption (PMLE) is an acquired photodermatosis characterized by a polymorphic eruption ranging from papulovesicular lesions to large plaques. The prevalence of PMLE varies from 5% to 15% in various studies across the world and in India it is 0.56%.

Objective The present study was conducted to study the clinical pattern and to assess the epidemiological aspects of polymorphic light eruption.Material and

Method A cross sectional prospective study was conducted in Dermatology OPD between April 2015 and June 2016. A total of 100 patients with symptoms and signs of PMLE were included in the study. Data were coded and analyzed.

Results Majority of the cases in our study were in the age group of 21 - 30 years (36%). It was more common in females (82%) when compared with males (18%). Occupation of most of the patients (29%) was farmers in our study population. Positive family history of PMLE was seen in 11% of the study population. The commonest form was the papular type (46%) and the second most common type was plaque type (17%). Regarding the distribution of lesions, about  51%  of  our study subjects had polymorphic lesions confined to only one area of their body mostly forearm (25%) followed by face (12%).

Conclusion The prevalence of PMLE was 1.34% in our study population. Pruritus was the presenting complaint in most of the cases and the rash was mainly seen in areas exposed to sunlight.