| Title | Epidemiology and comorbidity of psoriasis in children. | | Author(s) | Augustin M, Glaeske G, Radtke MA, Christophers E, Reich K, Schäfer I | | Institution | CVderm - German Center for Health Services Research in Dermatology, University Clinics of Hamburg. | | Source | Br J Dermatol 2009 Nov 18. | | Abstract | Summary
Background: Psoriasis is a common disease affecting all age groups. Contrary to adult psoriasis, only few studies on the epidemiology of childhood psoriasis have been published.
Objective: Assessment of prevalence and comorbidities of juvenile psoriasis in Germany based on health insurance data.
Methods: Data were collected from a database of about 1,3 million non-selected persons of a German statutory health insurance which is present in all geographic regions. Persons with psoriasis were identified by ICD-10 codes applied to all outpatient and inpatient visits. The present analysis consists of all patients who were enlisted throughout the year 2005. The diagnosis of psoriasis was registered whenever there was at least one documented patient contact using code L.40* and subcodes. Comorbidities were also evaluated by ICD-10 diagnoses.
Results: In total, 33.981 patients with the diagnosis of psoriasis were identified. The prevalence in 2005 was 2.5%. The total rate of psoriasis in children younger than 18 yrs. was 0.71%. The prevalence rates increased in an approximately linear way from 0.2% at the age of one to 1.2% at the age of 18. The overall rate of comorbidity in psoriatic persons younger than 20 years was twice as high as in persons without psoriasis. Juvenile psoriasis was associated with increased rates of e.g. hyperlipidemia, obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and Crohn's disease.
Conclusion: Psoriasis is a common disease in children. Like in adults, it is associated with significant comorbidity. Increased attention should be paid to the early detection and treatment of patients affected. | | Language | ENG | | Pub Type(s) | JOURNAL ARTICLE
| | PubMed ID | 19922529 |
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