Accuracy of Self-report in Assessing Fitzpatrick Skin Phototypes I Through VI

IMPORTANCE Determining Fitzpatrick skin phototypes (FST) allows physicians to assess a person’s risk of developing sunburn and, by extension, the need for sun protection to prevent the development of skin cancer. Reflectance spectrophotometry objectively measures the melanin index and can assist in determining the accuracy of self-report of FST compared with dermatologist-determined FST. OBJECTIVES To assess whether self-reported or dermatologist-determined FST is more accurate in identifying a participant’s FST for FST I through VI and to assess the relevance of the burning and tanning measures for a range of skin types among ethnically diverse participants. DESIGN AND SETTING A convenience sample of participants in an observational study from June 2, 2010, through December 15, 2010, at an ambulatory academic dermatologic practice and employee health center in an urban city. PARTICIPANTS Participants, staff, and students of Northwestern University, who self-identified as being non-Hispanic white, Hispanic or Latino, Asian or Pacific Islander, or black. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Melanin index as measured with reflectance spectrophotometry compared with dermatologist- and participant-determined FST. RESULTS Forty-two percent (114 of 270) of the participants’ responses to the burning and tanning questions could not be classified using standard FST definitions. The spectrophotometry measurements for dermatologist-determined FST were significantly different for FST III and IV (P