Are we born and do we die without nevi? A cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Epidemiology
• Human Biology

Background:

• Nevus (mole) count naturally varies with age.
• Limited data exists on total nevus count across different life stages.
• Understanding age-related nevus changes is crucial for dermatological assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify and compare total nevus count across distinct age demographics.
• To investigate the relationship between age and the prevalence of nevi.
• To establish normative data for nevus counts by age group.

Main Methods:

• Total nevus count was evaluated in 900 patients across nine age groups.
• Median nevus counts were calculated and compared between age cohorts.
• Multivariate logistic regression analyzed the influence of sex and phototype on age-nevus count association.

Main Results:

• A significant variation in median nevus count was observed across all age groups (P < 0.001).
• Nevus count significantly increased during the first two decades of life.
• A significant decrease in nevus count was noted after age 50, independent of sex and phototype.

Conclusions:

• Total nevus count demonstrates a clear pattern of increase in younger individuals and decrease in the elderly.
• Age is a significant factor influencing total body nevus count.
• These findings provide valuable insights into the natural history of nevi throughout the human lifespan.