SUNBURN
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Development of a new skin type scoring system for application in phototherapy and skin cancer epidemiology, and comparison to Fitzpatrick skin type classification: an observational cohort study
IRAS ID
171914
Contact name
Hiva Fassihi
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
The Fitzpatrick scale is a classification system for human skin colour divided into six skin types. The types differ in terms of skin colour and ease of tanning and sunburn, ranging from fair, easily burnt skin (Type I), to Afro-Caribbean skin (Type VI). Classification of skin type is important in epidemiological studies, cancer studies and prior to starting UV phototherapy (used to treat patients with psoriasis and eczema). Prior to phototherapy all patients have their minimal erythema dose (MED) determined: this is the level of UV that is just below the individual’s threshold for burning. It has been shown that the Fitzpatrick scale correlates poorly with MED and is not a good indicator of sunburn, is of limited value in skin cancer studies.
The Fitzpatrick system fails to predict susceptibility to sunburn because it does not take account of ‘photoadaptation’ by which susceptibility to sunburn decreases over a few weeks of regular skin exposure to ultraviolet. Previous skin typing questionnaires have asked about burning and tanning responses, but have not taken into account photoadaptation by asking about the patient’s usual sun exposure behaviour. An outdoor worker with photoadapted skin will answer the Fitzpatrick skin type questions that they rarely burn, yet an MED test on non-exposed skin on the back may be low (ie easy sunburning).
We are developing this questionnaire-based skin typing system, incorporating questions concerning photoadaptation and habitual sun exposure behaviour, in order to develop a more accurate predictor of MED than Fitzpatrick skin typing.
We intend to write to several hundred patients who have already been treated with UV phototherapy in our Photodermatology Unit from 2009-2014, for whom we have a record of their MED and request they complete the study questionnaire so we can correlate MED with photoadaptation behaviour.
REC name
South Central - Hampshire A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SC/0056
Date of REC Opinion
26 Jan 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion