Prevalence and characteristics of, and knowledge related to, photosensitivity in patients with lupus erythematosus: the international PHOTOLUP study.

This article focuses on the prevalence, characteristics, and patient knowledge of photosensitivity (PS) and photoprotective measures (PMs) in an international cohort of patients with lupus erythematosus (LE), including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE). Based on a 46-question web survey of 600 medically confirmed LE patients from 50 countries, 64.8% reported a history of PS, which was associated with cutaneous involvement, geographic area, and education level. PS manifestations included both cutaneous and systemic symptoms, with fatigue being the most common systemic complaint. Although 93% of patients recognized the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR), about one-third were unaware of the importance of photoprotection, and only 29.7% applied sunscreen as frequently as recommended. The study highlights the need for improved patient education on photoprotection and further research on the role of artificial lighting and fatigue in PS among LE patients.