The clinicoaetiological, hormonal and histopathological characteristics of melasma in men
Summary Background Melasma is relatively uncommon in males, and there is a paucity of data on male melasma, including its clinical pattern, triggering factors, endocrine profile and histopathological findings. Aim To characterize the clinical findings and aetiological factors, including hormonal and...
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Published in | Clinical and experimental dermatology Vol. 43; no. 1; pp. 36 - 41 |
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Main Authors | , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
England
Oxford University Press
01.01.2018
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Summary
Background
Melasma is relatively uncommon in males, and there is a paucity of data on male melasma, including its clinical pattern, triggering factors, endocrine profile and histopathological findings.
Aim
To characterize the clinical findings and aetiological factors, including hormonal and histopathological features, of male melasma.
Methods
Male patients with melasma and age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. Demographic profile, risk factors, clinical pattern and Wood lamp findings of patients were recorded. Sera were obtained from patients and HCs to determine hormone levels. Biopsy specimens were obtained from lesional and adjacent nonlesional skin.
Results
In total, 50 male patients with melasma and 20 HCs were recruited into the study. Mean age of patients was 27.58 ± 4.51 years. The most common clinical pattern of melasma was malar, which occurred in 52% of cases. Positive family history was present in 16% of patients, while 34% had disease aggravation with sun exposure and 62% used mustard oil for hair growth and/or as an emollient. Wood lamp examination revealed epidermal‐type melasma in 54% of patients. There were no significant differences in hormone levels between patients and HCs. Histologically, epidermal melanin, elastotic degeneration, vascular proliferation and mast cells were more pronounced in lesional compared with nonlesional skin. Absent to weak expression of oestrogen receptors, progesterone receptors and stem cell factor was observed in lesional skin.
Conclusion
Ultraviolet light and mustard oil are important causative factors in male melasma. Although stress and family history may contribute, hormonal factors possibly have no role. Quantitative analysis of immunohistochemical markers would provide insight in understanding the pathogenesis of melasma. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 0307-6938 1365-2230 |
DOI: | 10.1111/ced.13234 |