Prevalences of Actinic Skin Lesions and Comparison of Single and Multiple Lesions in Patients with Actinic Keratosis: A Retrospective Study of 61 Patients

Koh, Byoung Yong; Myung, Ki Bum; Hahn, Hyung Jin; Cheong, Seung Hyun

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Photoaged skin is characterized by actinic skin lesions such as wrinkling, elastosis, and premalignant and malignant lesions. Actinic keratosis (AK) is one of the most common precancerous lesions, and multiple actinic keratosis lesions are one of the risk factors for skin cancer. Few studies have investigated the prevalences of actinic skin lesions and compared the characteristics of the lesions and the patients with sinle and multiple AK lesions.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalences of actinic skin lesions and to compare characteristics between single and multiple lesions in Korean patients with AK.
METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and biopsy specimens of 61 patients.
RESULTS
Frequencies of deep wrinkle, solar elastosis, cutis rhomboidalis nuchae, and senile purpura were higher in the multiple lesions group. The ratio of males to females was 1:3.43 and the mean age was 79 years in the multiple lesions group, both of which were higher than those in the single lesion group (1:1.14, 72 years). The mean duration was longer in the multiple lesions group. Sun protective behavior was more frequent in the single lesion group, and the occupation of farmer was more common in the multiple lesions group. There was no statistically significant clinicopathological difference between the two groups.
CONCLUSION
This study may improve our understanding of the characteristics of actinic keratosis with both single and multiple lesions.