A retrospective study of height and total body nevus counts

Background: Research question: Increased risk for cancers, including melanoma, has been reported for every 10 cm increase in adult height, in various prospective studies in UK, Europe and Australia. 1 A proportion (approximately 10%) of excess cutaneous melanoma risk associated with height was explained by nevus counts. 2 Objective: We aimed to investigate the association of height with total body nevus counts, in individuals that underwent total body skin examination for screening of their nevi.Methods: We performed a retrospective, single-center, University Hospital-based, chart review study in adult individuals screened for acquired melanocytic nevi, from October 2023 to November 2024.otal body nevi were counted by a dermatologist, and age, sex, height, weight, occupational sun exposure, skin color (fair versus dark/light brown), tendency to burn and ability to tan are recorded in standardized patient history sheets.Logistic regression analysis was performed for the outcome of the total number of nevi 50 (versus <50 as reference).Results: A total of 764 individuals were included.The median age was 43 years old (IQR 35, 51), and 50% were male.The majority (66%) had less then 50 nevi, while 34% had 50 or more nevi.The median height was 172 cm (IQR 165, 178).Multivariate logistic regression analysis was adjusted for possible confounding factors, including age, skin color, tendency to burn/ability to tan, and occupational sun exposure.Having 50 or more nevi was not significantly associated with 10 cm increases in height, with an OR of 1.0 (95% CI: 0.71-1.41) in males and an OR of 0.91 (95% CI: 0.61-1.35) in females.Conclusions: In our study, the total body nevus counts were not associated with height.Further research in high-risk individuals may elucidate the underlying mechanisms of common risk for high total body nevus counts, height and melanoma risk.