Sun-protection habits and knowledge of patients with vitiligo

• Published in: Acta dermatovenerologica Alpina, Panonica, et Adriatica Vol. 29; no. 1; pp. 7 - 10
• Main Authors: Baykal Selçuk, Leyla, Katkat, Esma, Aksu Arıca, Deniz, Yaylı, Savaş, Bahadır, Sevgi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Slovenia Association of Slovenian Dermatovenerologists 01-01-2020
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diseases; Female; Health aspects; Health Behavior; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Male; Medical research; Middle Aged; Phototherapy; Pigmentation disorders; Skin diseases; Sunburn - prevention & control; Sunscreening agents; Sunscreening Agents - administration & dosage; Vitiligo - psychology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1318-4458; 1581-2979; 1318-4458
• DOI: 10.15570/actaapa.2020.3

Vitiligo is a common chronic depigmentation disease. Patients are generally advised to protect themselves from the sun.
One hundred fifty-three patients diagnosed with vitiligo and 106 healthy volunteers with no additional dermatological disease were included in the study. We evaluated the sun-protection habits of patients with vitiligo and controls, and also assessed their knowledge and attitudes toward sun exposure.
Rates of sunscreen use, high-factor sunscreen use, and remaining in the shade were significantly higher among patients (p = 0.004, p = 0.028, p = 0.040). We found significantly higher rates of modifying vacation habits, high sun-protection factors (SPF) sunscreen use, and preferring to remain in the shade among patients using phototherapy (p = 0.016, p = 0.019, p = 0.028). We showed higher rates of modification of vacation habits, wearing sunglasses, and remaining in the shade among patients with longer disease durations (p = 0.026, p = 0.001, and p = 0.017).
We determined higher rates of sunscreen use, high-SPF sunscreen use, and tendencies to remain in the shade in vitiligo patients compared to the general population. We also determined that disease duration and treatment with phototherapy alters sun-protection habits, but the presence of generalized disease and lesions in visible areas such as the face does not alter patients' habits.