Clinical and therapeutic aspects of polymorphous light eruption

Dermatology. 2003;207(1):93-5. doi: 10.1159/000070956.

Abstract

Background: Polymorphous light eruption (PLE) is an idiopathic eruption induced by ultraviolet (UV) radiation (UVR).

Objective: Evaluation of the clinical aspects, diagnostic criteria of PLE in a major Swiss referral center.

Methods: 25 patients with PLE were tested with a standardized protocol for the assessment of photodermatoses.

Results: 25 patients (22 women vs. 3 men) were identified. Papular and papular-vesicular eruptions were the most common clinical presentations. 6 of 25 patients had a reduced minimal erythema dose (MED) for UVA and 8 of 25 patients had a reduced MED for UVB. Photoprovocation was positive in 11 of 20 patients for UVA and 7 of 20 patients for UVB. Photohardening with narrow-band UVB was successful in 8 of 10 patients. Combined UVA/UVB therapy had a satisfactory effect in 10 of 15 patients. Narrow-band UVB therapy was still successful after ineffective UVA/UVB therapy.

Conclusion: The MED was of no value for the diagnosis of PLE. The typical lesions were reproduced by UVA and UVB photoprovocation. We recommend photohardening with narrow-band UVB (311 nm).

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Chronic Disease
  • Dermatitis, Photoallergic / diagnosis
  • Dermatitis, Photoallergic / prevention & control
  • Dermatitis, Photoallergic / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Photosensitivity Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Photosensitivity Disorders / prevention & control
  • Photosensitivity Disorders / therapy
  • Phototherapy / methods
  • Primary Prevention / methods
  • Prognosis
  • Recurrence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Skin Tests
  • Sunscreening Agents / therapeutic use
  • Ultraviolet Rays / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Sunscreening Agents