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European Journal of Dermatology

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Use of lip photoprotection in patients suffering from actinic cheilitis Volume 29, numéro 4, July-August 2019

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Auteurs
1 Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
2 Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Pontevedra, Spain
3 Department of Dermatology, Hospital Virxe da Xunqueira, University Hospital of La Coruña, Spain
4 Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Lucus Augusti, Spain
5 Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Vigo, Spain
6 Department of Dermatology, Hospital el Bierzo, Spain
7 Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of La Coruña, Spain
8 Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Ourense, Spain
9 Department of Dermatology, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
* Reprints
a These authors contributed equally

Background: Actinic cheilitis (AC) is a chronic condition that affects mainly the lower lip. Objectives: To investigate the use of lip photoprotection in patients with AC. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional multicentre study of patients, ≥45 years of age, was performed in eight dermatology departments in the Galicia region over a period of one year. From 1,239 patients included in the study, 410 were diagnosed with AC and complete data were available for 408. An analysis of lip photoprotection habits and possible associations in patients with AC is reported. Results: Mean age of patients with AC was 71.9 years and 53.8% were women. More than 90% of AC patients (370/408) had never used lip photoprotection. In the group of patients who used it, 62.16% of them had only used a single stick within the previous year. The only variable significantly associated with the use of lip sun protection was low Fitzpatrick's skin types I and II (p=0.039). Study limitations include the inclusion of patients 45 years or older and the use of a semiquantitative scale for measuring the frequency of application of lip photoprotection. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first European study focused on lip photoprotection in patients suffering from AC. Only a minority of AC patients protect their lips from UV radiation. Specific lip sun protection recommendations should be promoted, especially in high-risk populations.