The Prevalence of Comorbidities in Children and Young Adults With Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis

Abstract

Background:

Adult-onset psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) have been associated with diabetes, hypertension (HTN), and obesity in addition to other diagnoses. The relationship of these comorbidities in children and young adults with PsO and PsA is not well known.

Objective:

To evaluate the prevalence of metabolic comorbidities and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in those ≤19 years of age with PsO and PsA.

Method:

We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of patients ≤19 years of age from the United States with PsO and PsA using a pooled deidentified health-care system database. Comorbidities of interest included diabetes mellitus (DM), HTN, IBD, and obesity. The χ² test and odds ratio (OR) were calculated.

Results:

A total of 6470 patients ≤19 years of age with PsO and 520 with PsA were identified. Both cohorts were largely Caucasian; PsA had a female predominance. Almost half of those with PsO and PsA were obese. There was a statistical difference between PsA and PsO and the general population in regard to DM, HTN, and IBD (P < 0.01). Childhood and adolescent PsA was associated with DM, HTN, and obesity compared to PsO (OR: 2.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06-4.12, OR: 5.60, 95% CI: 3.61-8.67, OR: 1.31 95% CI: 0.95-1.35, OR: 2.91, 95% CI: 2.04-4.15), respectively.

Conclusions:

Metabolic comorbidities and IBD are pervasive in children and young adults with PsA and PsO. Diabetes mellitus and HTN were more prevalent in PsA than PsO, the converse found with IBD. Children and young adults diagnosed with psoriatic diseases are more likely to be obese than the general population.