Sun Bathing

UV Light Tanning as a Type of Substance-Related Disorder

Molly M. Warthan, MD; Tatsuo Uchida, MS; Richard F. Wagner, Jr, MD

Arch Dermatol. 2005;141:963-966.

Objective  To better understand the complex motivations involved with UV light (UVL) tanning behavior.

Design  Two written instruments, the CAGE (Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener) Questionnaire, used to screen for alcohol abuse or dependence, and the American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria for substance-related disorders, were modified to evaluate subjects for a substance-related disorder involving UVL tanning.

Setting  Galveston Island beach.

Subjects  A total of 145 beachgoers.

Main Outcome Measures  Positive findings from the 2 evaluation instruments.

Results  Of the 145 subjects, 38 (26%) met the modified CAGE criteria, and 77 (53%) met the modified DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria for a substance-related disorder with regard to UVL and related sun tanning. The results from both instruments were significantly associated (P = .03).

Conclusions  Individuals who chronically and repetitively expose themselves to UVL to tan may have a novel type of UVL substance-related disorder.

Author Affiliations: Department of Dermatology (Drs Warthan and Wagner) and Office of Biostatistics (Mr Uchida), The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston. Dr Warthan is now with the Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk.