Tanning addiction in psoriasis patients

[Fred]

The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of excessive sun exposure (ESE) as a proxy for tanning addiction in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis and to identify the factors associated with this behaviour.

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Background:
Tanning addiction is a behavioral addiction characterized by an irrepressible desire for sun or ultraviolet light exposure. It is thought to affect 10% to 25% of the population.

Objectives:
This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of this behavior in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis and identify associated factors.

Methods:
A cross-sectional study of baseline data from patients included in the PsoBioTeq cohort between 2012 and 2022. Tanning addiction was approximated by patient-reported excessive sun exposure (ESE), defined by the response “I try to expose myself to the sun as often as possible” to a registry question on current behavior. Factors associated with ESE including clinical characteristics, psoriasis and medical history, and previous treatments were also analyzed.

Results:
Among 3705 patients included in the analysis, 636 (17.2%) reported ESE. In multivariate analysis, being younger (OR 0.97, 95% CI [0.96; 0.97]) and female (OR 1.52, 95% CI [1.20; 1.93]), and having a normal weight (OR 0.57, 95% CI [0.42; 0.77]), intermediate skin phenotype (OR 1.80, 95% CI [1.36; 2.38]), and history of phototherapy (OR 1.53, 95% CI [1.19; 1.96]) were associated with a higher ESE risk, whereas previous ustekinumab treatment (OR 0.40, 95% CI [0.19; 0.84]) was associated with a lower ESE risk.

Conclusions:
The prevalence of ESE in patients with psoriasis was 17% and revealed demographic factors that may help to identify the patient population most risk of ESE behavior. Education about photoprotection and optimal rapid control of psoriasis may be particularly important for this population.

Source: onlinelibrary.wiley.com

*Funding: The authors received no specific funding for this study.

[Kat]

Hmm, it's a tad funny to see this as this is the first year in a long time I've sported a bit of a tan.  I've done the light therapy without success and found it odd that my dermatologist at the time gave me the okay to do tanning beds (which I didn't do)

Due to doctors adding Vit D supplements and to me having psoriasis, I have tried spending more time outside but this is the first year I've really managed to be consistent in a long time. 

I'm not trying to get a tan, it's just the result of being outside.

[Forest Walker]

That's a healthy way to be, the outdoor gardening in the sun, Kat.  Or outdoor gardening in the gray of an overcast sky.   

The data are gleaned from the responses to the statement, "I try to expose myself to the sun as often as possible."  

Are patients told that being in the sun can help their psoriasis?  Is this the motivation?  I don't know that an addiction can be assumed, though.  

[Caroline]

Interestingly, the prevalence of excessive sun exposure (ESE) among patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis — 17.2% — falls within the estimated range of tanning addiction in the general population (10% to 25%). This suggests that individuals with psoriasis are not significantly more likely to exhibit tanning addiction than the general public.

However, the study does provide valuable insight into which subgroups within the psoriasis population are more prone to this behavior — namely younger individuals, women, those with normal body weight, intermediate skin types, and patients with a history of phototherapy. This could help guide targeted education and prevention strategies.

I am not a real sun lover, mostly because my skin is quite white, so I fear burning.

[Kat]

That's a healthy way to be, the outdoor gardening in the sun, Kat.  Or outdoor gardening in the gray of an overcast sky.   

The data are gleaned from the responses to the statement, "I try to expose myself to the sun as often as possible."  

Are patients told that being in the sun can help their psoriasis?  Is this the motivation?  I don't know that an addiction can be assumed, though.  

I remember some lady who was addicted to tanning beds who made the news. I think hers was just an addiction to the actual tanned look. You know, anything in excess could be considered an addiction.

But with people with psoriasis recommended to do light therapy, as well as get plenty of Vit D..... I could see where it could become an issue for some people. I was recommended to do a tanning bed and I've heard getting sun is beneficial for psoriasis. I guess you could then become addicted to tanning so one could perhaps lead to another.

The problem with gardening tanning is that the tan lines aren't always where you want them. I now have a tan circle on my back because a shirt I was wearing had a circular cut out in the back. I didn't think about it.

I used to try to get tanned for the summer as back when I was young it was the thing to do.... now I don't really care to get tanned.

[Turnedlight]

Not really possible, I just burn..

[Fred]

I'm lucky I go brown easily, but I still be careful about the amount of sun I get.

[Kat]

I'm lucky I go brown easily, but I still be careful about the amount of sun I get.

I used to tan easy, but I have to watch at the beginning not to get too much at once or I get a little burned. I was a touch red but it has since turned brownish.

I've avoided too much sun for the past few years but honestly.... I think a little sun is good and now people are a bit afraid of getting it as it's not the thing to do. You don't see a bunch of tanned people here like you used to, most tend to use a lot of sunblock if out in the sun. I would use sunblock if I were going to a lake or pool but for just outside, I prefer to change into a shirt that covers my shoulders, put on a hat, change into some light weight pants or simply go inside and say I'm done for the day if I feel I'm starting to burn

[mataribot]

Am I the only one that doesn’t care about a tan? The only tan I get is from walking my dogs - they get about 4 miles a day (~6.4 km).

[Kat]

Am I the only one that doesn’t care about a tan? The only tan I get is from walking my dogs - they get about 4 miles a day (~6.4 km).

Nope, I don't care about a tan either!  I mention getting more of one this year due to being outdoors more often than I have been in years

But getting sun is similar for a psoriasis patient as getting light therapy..  And getting sun leads to some people getting tan, others getting red and some not getting either.  I think that's kind of where the conversation headed.

Sun is also one way to get Vit D, of course not the only way.  So there are benefits.  Also risks. (This is me trying to stay on topic since I think I was leading it away)