Polymorphic Light Eruption: Clinico Epidemiological Study and Histopathological Correlation

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 histo-pathological features vary according to age of lesions sampled. Objective: To study clinical pattern of Polymorphic Light Eruption and Histo-Pathological Correlation Methods: The present study is a hospital based observational study, conducted over a period of one year. A total of 70 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 histo-pathological investigations. The findings were recorded in proforma for analysis and interpretation of data. Follow-up was done to know the prognosis of the patients. Results: The study shows that females are more affected than males with a ratio of 1:2.33 and the maximum incidence in the age group of 11-20 years and minimum in the age group of 51-60 years