Prevalence of lip and perioral Ephelides in beach workers

Abstract

BACKGROUNDEphelides are small hyperpigmented macules common in the skin, presenting as areas with increased melanin production. Ephelides are observed in genetically predisposed individuals, particularly fair-skinned people highly susceptible to sunburn. OBJECTIVESThis study aimed to determine the prevalence of lip and perioral ephelides in 362 beach workers in the city of Natal (Rio Grande do Norte) and to investigate potential associations with sociodemographic, occupational and general health. METHODSFor this purpose clinical tests were performed by calibrated examiners in the epidemiological area around the lips and the area bounded laterally by the nasolabial groove and at the bottom by the chin. A questionnaire was completed and assessed. The possible associations between sociodemographic variables, occupational and general health with the presence of lip and perioral ephelides were evaluated by chi-square test for a significance level of 5%. RESULTSApproximately one third of the workers were affected by perioral ephelides (33.7%) and around a quarter of them by lip ephelides (24.0%). Gender was the only variable significantly associated with the presence of perioral ephelides (p = 0.002), unlike lip ephelides which proved to be significantly associated with habits (p = 0.036) and alcoholism (0.030). CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of ephelides in lip and perioral region was high in the study population, with gender and certain habits associated with its occurrence.

Prevalence of and risk factors for actinic cheilitis in Brazilian beach workers

“…Beach workers received an explanatory self-examination folder prepared by the researchers specifically for this action, and a previously validated questionnaire was applied containing information regarding personal data, habits, occupation, health information, which was filled out according to the volunteers responses. 10 The workers underwent clinical examinations of the upper and lower lips, through semi technical inspection and palpation maneuvers, with the aim of identifying lesions. The following were considered in the clinical examination: dryness, atrophy, scaly lesions, lip swelling, erythema, ulcerations, cloudy demarcations between the vermilion of the lip and skin, folds demarcated along the lip, white spots or plaques, crusts, stained or pale areas.…”

“…Solar radiation mainly affects fair-skinned people, being responsible for lower lip cancers. 5,7,9,10 A variety of premalignant lesions are found in UV-exposed patients, including actinic cheilitis (AC), a precursor lesion of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lip. AC is a pre-malignant lesion on the lips in patients overexposed to sunlight and has a high chance of progressing to invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).…”