Factors affecting sunscreen use and sun avoidance in a U.S. national sample of organ transplant recipients

Abstract

Background Organ transplant recipients have an increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) due to immunosuppressive therapy following transplantation. Use of sunscreen has been shown to reduce this risk. Objectives This study sought to identify patient and healthcare factors associated with sun protective behaviours in organ transplant recipients after transplantation with the goal of increasing overall sunscreen use. Methods This study utilized a cross-sectional, retrospective survey from a national sample of one hundred and ninety eight organ transplant recipients in the US from 2004–2008 with no prior diagnosis of skin cancer. The main outcome measures were sunscreen use and sun avoidance before and after transplantation. Frequency of sunscreen use and sun exposure was obtained by self-report on Likert scales ranging from never to always, and these responses were converted to a numerical scale from 0 to 4. Results Overall sunscreen use increased after transplantation (from 1.4 to 2.1, p< 0.001). Sex, Fitzpatrick skin type, receiving advice to avoid sun from a healthcare provider, and pre-transplantation sunscreen use were significantly associated with frequency of post-transplantation sunscreen use in multivariate models. Pre-transplantation sun exposure, advice to avoid sun, and pre-transplantation sunscreen use were significantly associated with sun avoidance post-transplantation. Conclusions Both patient features and clinician advice are associated with sun protective behaviours after organ transplantation. These results help physicians target expanded sun protection counseling to those patients most in need of such intervention.

Comparison of pre‐ and post‐transplant sun‐safe behavior of kidney transplant recipients: What is needed to improve?

“…Occupational, recreational, and holiday sun exposure before and after transplantation and sun protection methods used before and after transplantation were evaluated. The structure of the questionnaire was mainly based on questionnaires published by Moloney et al, Terhorst et al, and Mihalis et al and then modified and adapted to the local language and circumstances. All OTRs who were willing to participate in the study were included if at least one summer had elapsed since their transplantation.…”

Predicting Avoidance of Skin Damage Feedback Among College Students

“…Prior UV photography research has controlled for self-reported skin sensitivity (6, 7), and other studies have linked skin type to sun protection behaviors (28, 29). …”

Research gaps in the management and prevention of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in organ transplant recipients

“…It has been well documented that OTR have insufficient knowledge about the consequences of sun exposure, as well as inadequate sun‐protective behaviour, highlighting the need for more effective educational interventions. Factors that affect sun‐protective behaviour have been identified in OTR, and several educational interventions have been evaluated for short‐term efficacy (≤ 2 years). Successful strategies that have promoted sun‐protective habits in OTR include counselling from dermatologists, written information pamphlets, word books with and without repetitive text/e‐mail reminders tailored to weather conditions and mobile medical applications .…”