Avaliação do padrão de fotoexposição em pacientes dermatológicos atendidos no município de Lagarto-Se

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Photoaging is the premature degradation of the skin resulting from prolonged and repeated photoexposure, leading to the appearance of lesions that can induce malignancy. Skin cancer is the neoplasm with the highest incidence in Brazil, with sun exposure from occupational activity as an important etiological and aggravating factor. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the pattern of sun exposure in patients monitored at the dermatology outpatient clinic at the Medical Specialty Center of Lagarto-SE. METHOD Descriptive, cross-sectional, quantitative study, based on the application of questionnaires to patients treated at the Medical Specialty Center of Lagarto, between December/2021 and December/2022. RESULTS There was a predominance in the population of elderly people, of the female gender, of white ethnicity and with skin phototypes I, II and III. In addition, most live in the city of Lagarto, with rural activities as their main occupation. In this sense, it was verified that the main cause of photoexposure of the interviewees stems from their working hours, including this fact occurring at the most critical times of incidence of ultraviolet radiation. CONCLUSION In view of the risk behavior verified in the studied population and, in view of the seriousness of the consequences caused by prolonged and unprotected sun exposure, the need to implement awareness campaigns on this topic in primary and secondary health care is evident.