{Reference Type}: Observational Study
{Title}: Actinic conjunctivitis and its relationship with prurigo in an indigenous population from the Highlands of Chiapas, Mexico.
{Author}: Alamillo-Velazquez J;Ortiz-Morales G;Gonzalez-Gonzalez SE;Lopez-Altamirano DF;Rodríguez-Garcia A;
{Journal}: Int Ophthalmol
{Volume}: 44
{Issue}: 1
{Year}: 2024 Feb 5
{Factor}: 2.029
{DOI}: 10.1007/s10792-024-02925-0
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>Actinic conjunctivitis (AC), along with cheilitis (AChe), is part of the clinical spectrum of actinic prurigo (AP), a rare photo dermatosis that affects high-risk populations. We analyzed the clinical manifestations and onset of actinic conjunctivitis (AC), and its relationship with prurigo (AP) in a susceptible population.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>This prospective observational cohort study was performed on Indigenous populations from the highlands of Chiapas, Mexico. Thorough dermatological and ophthalmological examinations were performed in patients attending a primary health care center. The clinical features, labor and environmental factors, onset timing, and clinical staging of AC and AP were analyzed.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Of the 2913 patients studied, 54 patients (108 eyes) (1.8%) had AC, and 14 patients (25.9%) had AP. The mean age at diagnosis was 36.18 ± 18.52 years (6-70 years). The mean residential altitude was 1884 ± 434.2 m above sea level. Mean self-reported sun exposure was 5.14 ± 3.1 h a day (0.5-12 h). A total of 90.7% reported exposure to biomass fuels during cooking, and 50% to farm animals. AC was the sole manifestation in 70% of the cases. All patients had nasal and temporal photo-exposed conjunctiva. Among the eyes, 12.9% were classified as stage-1, 64.8% as stage-2, and 22.2% stage-3. A total of 83.3% of the patients had hyperpigmented lesions, and 35.1% had evaporative dry eye disease.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>AC may be the initial or sole manifestation of AP. Most AC cases (87%) were initially observed at the advanced stages of the disease. Although solar exposure was not associated with late AC stages, a positive association was found with farm animal exposure. Evaporative dry eye associated with meibomian gland dysfunction has not been previously reported in patients with AC.