Estudio epidemiológico de los nevus en estudiantes de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Granada

Abstract

Introduction: The number and characteristics of melanocytic nevus are the main risk factor for melanoma, and they have been considered trendsetter and precursor of this pathology. Various genetic and environmental (exposure to the ultraviolet radiation) factors have been involved in the etiology of these nevus. Our group has executed numerous studies about nevus in different groups of age, except in young adults. Objectives: Get to know the number and characteristics of the nevus in a university population, and establish the relationship between those nevus with genetic and environmental factors, in order to draw conclusions and extract preventive models of skin cancer. Materials and Methodology: An observational study of the nevus was designed in a student population of the University of Granada, 333 individuals, between 18 and 25 years old. Personal data was collected as well as the attitude towards suntan, sunburn history in the last year and a complete clinic exploration was performed. Results: It was found that an average number of common nevus of 100,46 in women and 107 in men, being higher in individuals with BMI >25, located mainly in the trunk (36,15%, with a prevailing smaller size than 2mm (66,43 in women and 64,79 in men). 74,7% of the sample studied prefers to be suntanned, and 40,8% has sunburn history in the last year. Besides these facts, the students with lower phototype showed less sunburn (r= - 0,269 p< 0,0001). Conclusions: In contrast with what happens to other age groups, the number of nevus is not associated to the age, sex, or to personal sunburn history. Sunburn is high in this group of individuals, the same which occurs in other age groups. The most striking aspect of this study is the relationship between BMI and the number of nevus.