BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The Beagley-Gibson (BG) grading system utilizes microtopographical skin changes to generate an individualized, objective estimate of cumulative, lifetime ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure. However, predictors of BG grade are ill-defined, particularly in older populations. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to describe the factors associated with skin damage as measured by the BG method in 835 community-dwelling older adults.

METHODS: Study participants aged 53-83 years had silicone casts taken from the dorsum of both hands and graded by the BG method. Lifetime sun exposure, skin phenotypic traits and smoking status were assessed by questionnaire. 25-hydroxyvitamin D and melanin density were measured using radioimmunoassay and spectrophotometry, respectively. Ordered logistic regression was used to compute a single odds ratio (OR) by taking BG grade as the outcome variable.

RESULTS: Higher 25-hydroxyvitamin D was associated with increasing BG grade (OR = 1.39, P = 0.02) in adjusted analysis. Age (OR = 1.14, P < 0.001), occupational sun exposure (OR = 1.62, P < 0.001), ability to tan (OR = 1.40, P < 0.001), melanin density (OR=0.79, P = 0.001), lifetime leisure time sun exposure (OR = 1.21, P = 0.004), current smoking (OR = 1.82, P = 0.007), propensity to sunburn (OR = 1.18, P = 0.016), and waist-hip ratio (OR = 1.10, P = 0.02) were independent predictors of BG grade. Hair colour, number of sunburns, body mass index and gender were not independent predictors of BG grade.

CONCLUSIONS: Beagley-Gibson skin cast grade is a biologically relevant marker of UVR exposure in older adults influenced by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	Beagley-Gibson, actinic damage, older adults, skin, sun exposure
Research Division:	Medical and Health Sciences
Research Group:	Clinical Sciences
Research Field:	Rheumatology and Arthritis
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions)
Objective Field:	Skeletal System and Disorders (incl. Arthritis)
Author:	Thompson, MJW (Dr Michael Thompson)
Author:	Aitken, DA (Dr Dawn Aitken)
Author:	van der Mei, IA (Associate Professor Ingrid van der Mei)
Author:	Otahal, P (Mr Petr Otahal)
Author:	Winzenberg, TM (Professor Tania Winzenberg)
Author:	Jones, G (Professor Graeme Jones)
ID Code:	112441
Year Published:	2017 (online first 2016)
Web of Science® Times Cited:	1
Deposited By:	Menzies Institute for Medical Research
Deposited On:	2016-11-10
Last Modified:	2017-12-05
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