RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Identifying the psychosocial predictors of ultraviolet exposure to the face in patients with xeroderma pigmentosum: a study of the behavioural factors affecting clinical outcomes in this genetic disease JF Journal of Medical Genetics JO J Med Genet FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP 1095 OP 1103 DO 10.1136/jmedgenet-2021-108323 VO 59 IS 11 A1 Robert Sarkany A1 Sam Norton A1 Martha Canfield A1 Myfanwy Morgan A1 Lesley Foster A1 Kirby Sainsbury A1 Vera Araujo-Soares A1 Hans Christian Wulf A1 John Weinman A1 Jessica Walburn YR 2022 UL http://jmg.bmj.com/content/59/11/1095.abstract AB Background For patients with xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), the main means of preventing skin and eye cancers is extreme protection against ultraviolet radiation (UVR), particularly for the face. We have recently developed a methodology for objectively measuring photoprotection behaviour (‘UVR dose to facial skin’) and have found that the degree of photoprotection varies greatly between patients with XP. We have previously identified factors affecting photoprotection behaviour in XP using a subjective measure of photoprotection. Here, we have used this objective methodology to identify the factors which determine photoprotection behaviour in XP.Methods We studied 29 psychological, social, demographic and clinical variables in 36 patients with XP. We have previously objectively measured UVR protection (by measuring the dose of UVR reaching the skin of the face over a 3-week period) in these patients. Here, we use linear mixed-effects model analysis to identify the factors which lead to the differences in degree of photoprotection observed in these patients.Results Psychosocial factors accounted for as much of the interindividual variation in photoprotection behaviour (29%) as demographic and clinical factors (24%). Psychosocial factors significantly associated with worse UVR protection included: automaticity of the behaviours, and a group of beliefs and perceptions about XP and photoprotection known to associate with poor treatment adherence in other diseases.Conclusions We have identified factors contributing to poor photoprotection in XP. Identifying these potentially reversible psychosocial features has enabled us to design an intervention to improve photoprotection in patients with XP, aiming to prevent skin and eye cancers in these patients.All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplementary information. Not applicable.