The naevus count on the arms as a predictor of the number of melanocytic naevi on the whole body

Abstract

A study of melanocytic naevi was carried out in southern Spain to examine the relationship between numbers of naevi at different body sites as predictors of whole-body naevus count and to determine whether the naevus count on the arms is valid for identifying the risk factors for total naevi. Subjects were the control group from a case-control study on risk factors for cutaneous melanoma. They were selected from visitors to the University of Granada Hospital (southern Spain) between 1989 and 1993. Of 200 people invited to participate, 146 accepted (73%). Data were collected by personal interview, and melanocytic naevi were counted over the entire body surface by clinical skin examination performed by one dermatologist. Partial correlation coefficients (R) estimated by multiple linear regression were calculated. Comparisons between whole-body naevi and naevi on the arms, and their relationship with risk factors, were assessed by analysis of variance and covariance. Arms in men (adjusted R = 0.88) and thighs in women (adjusted R = 0.82) were the best predictors of total naevi after adjusting for age and sun exposure. Age, occupational and leisure sun exposure, and sunburns showed significant correlations with the total number of naevi. Similar results were found for the naevus count on the arms. In conclusion, the prediction of whole-body numbers of naevi by a naevus count on specific sites differs between men and women: arms in men and thighs in women are the best predictors. Nevertheless, naevus counts on the arms allowed us to study the risk factors for total naevi as well as whole-body naevus count: age and occupational sun exposure were the strongest determinants.

Prediction of high naevus count in a healthy U.K. population to estimate melanoma risk

“…The demographic profile of the studied population reflects a Caucasian skin phenotype at significant risk of melanoma with a high prevalence of Fitzpatrick skin phototype I and II and a median age of 47 years, which is not far from the mean age of diagnosis of melanoma. Our analyses confirmed that arm naevus count is, in fact, more strongly correlated to TBNC as previously described . Byles et al .…”

“…found a correlation of 0·71 between the left arm and the TBNC in 131 Australian subjects. Fariñas‐Alvarez et al . suggested that the best body site in women for predicting TBNC was the leg.…”

Nevus density and melanoma risk in women: A pooled analysis to test the divergent pathway hypothesis

“…Due to the heterogeneity in defining and collecting information on number of nevi across studies, our primary analysis was based on nevus counts restricted to the arms as this was the measure collected by the greatest number of studies. Nevus counts on the arms have been shown to be reliable predictors of whole-body nevus counts 44, 45. The studies contributing to the summary estimates were vulnerable to various types of bias.…”

Skin cancer risk factors among primary school children: Investigations in Western Hungary

“…Intense sunburns (experienced blistering) were separately recorded. The mole count on the left forearm was chosen, because there is evidence suggesting that the number of moles present on one part of the body fairly accurately estimates the total number of moles on the whole body (Farinas-Alvarez et al, 1999). Regular use of sun protection measures (sunscreens, hats, T-shirts, and sunglasses) and demographic variables (age, sex, and residence) were also collected.…”