Risk Factors and Relationship of Cutaneous and Uveal Melanocytic Lesions in Monozygotic and Dizygotic Twin Pairs |
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| Authors: | Renáta Zsanett Csoma Edit Tóth-Molnár Anita Varga Hajnalka Szabó Hajnalka Orvos Lajos Kemény Judit Oláh |
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| Institution: | 1Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary;2Department of Ophthalmology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary;3Department of Paediatrics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary;4Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary;5Dermatological Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary;Universidade de Sao Paulo, BRAZIL |
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| Abstract: | BackgroundThe similar genetic background of a pair of twins, and the similar environmental impacts to which they are exposed allow an exact and objective investigation of various constitutional and environmental factors in naevus development. As far as we are aware, this is the first published survey that simultaneously examines cutaneous and ocular pigmented lesions in an appreciable sample of identical and non-identical twins.Methods172 pairs of twins of Caucasian origin were included in this study. A whole-body skin examination and a detailed ophthalmological examination were performed to determine the density of melanocytic lesions. A standardized questionnaire was used to assess the data relating to constitutional, sun exposure and other variables.ResultsA notably high proportion of the subjects (36.78%) manifested one or more clinically atypical melanocytic naevi (CAMNs), and approximately one-third (31.4%) of them at least one benign uveal pigmented lesion (BUPL). The incidence of iris freckles (IFs), iris naevi (INs) and choroidal naevi (CHNs) proved to be 25.35%, 5.98% and 3.52%, respectively. The interclass correlation coefficients for common melanocytic naevi (CMNs), CAMNs, and INs were 0.77, 0.76 and 0.86 in monozygotic twins, as compared with 0.5, 0.27 and 0.25 in dizygotic twin pairs, respectively. A statistically significant correlation was found between the prevalence of CAMNs and that of INs.ConclusionsThis significant correlation suggests the existence of a subgroup of Caucasian people with an increased susceptibility to both cutaneous and ocular naevus formation. There is accumulating evidence that, besides the presence of cutaneous atypical naevi, INs can serve as a marker of a predisposed phenotype at risk of uveal melanoma. The correlation between cutaneous and ocular pigmented lesions underlines the need for the adequate ophthalmological screening of subjects with CAMNs and INs. |
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