New insights in naevogenesis: Number, distribution and dermoscopic patterns of naevi in the elderly

• Published in: Australasian journal of dermatology 2011-11, Vol.52 (4), p.254-258
• Main Authors: Piliouras, Peter, Gilmore, Stephen, Wurm, Elisabeth M, Soyer, H Peter, Zalaudek, Iris
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Dermatology; Dermoscopy; Extremities - pathology; Female; Head and Neck Neoplasms - pathology; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; melanocytic naevi; Middle Aged; naevus types; Nevus, Pigmented - pathology; Skin Neoplasms - pathology; Torso - pathology; Tumors of the skin and soft tissue. Premalignant lesions
• ISSN: 0004-8380; 1440-0960
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-0960.2011.00794.x

ABSTRACT Background/Objectives:  It is well recognized that the number and patterns of acquired melanocytic naevi vary with age, but little is known about naevus patterns in the elderly. This is a cross‐sectional study assessing the prevalence, dermoscopic pattern and anatomical distribution of naevus subtypes in a stratified cohort aged between 60 and 89 years. Methods:  Fifty‐nine patients who attended the Queensland Institute of Dermatology were recruited randomly and evenly distributed into three age groups: 60–69 years; 70–79 years; and 80–89 years. For each participant, total naevus count and morphological naevus types were recorded with respect to age, sex and anatomical location. Flat (Clark's) naevi were further subclassified according to the dermoscopic pattern as reticular, globular or structureless. Results:  Using non‐parametric methods, naevus counts in the elderly decreased due to the disappearance of reticular naevi (P