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Risk factors for actinic keratosis in eight European centres: a case-control study.
A Traianou1, M Ulrich, Z Apalla
1Second Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Perifereiaki Odos Thessalonikis-N. Efkarpias 564 29, Thessaloniki, Greece.
The British Journal of Dermatology
|August 14, 2012
Summary
This study identifies risk factors for actinic keratosis (AK), finding red hair and sun exposure increase risk, while darker skin and more moles decrease it. Certain medications like thiazide diuretics and cardiac drugs may also elevate AK risk.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology and Oncology
- Epidemiology of skin cancer
Background:
- Limited data exist on the association between actinic keratosis (AK) and nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC), and even less on AK correlation with melanocytic nevi.
- No prior studies have examined the risk of AK in individuals using specific medications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate constitutional and exposure risk factors for actinic keratosis (AK).
- To examine the coexistence of AK with nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and melanoma.
- To identify potential new risk factors for AK, including medication use.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter, hospital-based case-control study was conducted across eight European countries.
- Data were collected from 343 AK patients, 1388 NMSC/melanoma patients, and 686 controls via questionnaires.
- Unconditional logistic regression modeling assessed associations with phenotypic characteristics, nevi, sun exposure, and drug use.
Main Results:
- Red hair (OR 6.9) and freckles increased AK risk, while brown eyes (OR 0.61) and darker skin phototypes (IV, OR 0.11) reduced it. Higher numbers of nevi and higher education were inversely associated with AK.
- Sun exposure, thiazide diuretics, and cardiac drugs were associated with an increased risk of AK.
- Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was the most common coexisting neoplasm with AK (58%), followed by basal cell carcinoma (BCC) (30%).
Conclusions:
- Known risk factors for actinic keratosis (AK) were confirmed in this large European study.
- New potential risk factors, including cardiac and diuretic drugs, were identified, warranting further investigation.
- Understanding these risk factors can inform future prevention and management strategies for AK and related skin cancers.
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