A clinicoepidemiological and histo-Pathological study of polymorphic light eruptions in malwa region

Introduction: Polymorphic light eruption (PLE) is the most common photodermatoses encountered in clinical practice. It is an idiopathic acquired disorder in which a delayed response to Ultraviolet radiation occurs in the form of skin eruptions consisting of papules, vesicles or plaques over the sun exposed and rarely on partially covered areas, distribution is generally symmetrical. Diagnosis is clinical and histopathological features vary according to age of lesions sampled. Objective: To study clinical pattern and histopathological changes in patients with Polymorphic light eruptions in Malwa region (Ujjain, M.P). Material and Methods: The present study is a hospital based observational study, conducted over a period of one year. A total of 100 cases including male and female patients presenting with history of photosensitivity or with clinical manifestations related to photosensitivity were enrolled. All patients underwent clinical and systemic examination followed by routine and histopathological investigations. The findings were recorded in proforma for analysis and interpretation of data. Results: In our study majority of patients were in the age group of 30 - 40 years (33%). PLE was more common in females (61%) compared to males (39%). The commonest lesion was papule then plaques but most of the patients had mixed presentation of various lesions. Most common site affected was neck followed by upper limbs. Histopathological findings were not very diagnostic, majority of the slides revealed spongiosis, parakeratosis and oedema of papillary dermis. Conclusions: Diagnosis of PLE is clinical but still histopathology is required in doubtful cases to rule out other clinical differentials.