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Salient features and HLA markers of childhood psoriasis in Kuwait
A Nanda1, A S Al-Fouzan, M El-Kashlan
1Asad Al-Hamad Dermatology Center, Al-Sabah Hospital, Kuwait.
Insights
Psoriasis in Kuwaiti children often begins between ages 2-8, with scalp involvement common. Specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) types are associated with childhood psoriasis and family history.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dermatology
- Immunogenetics
Background:
- Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting children worldwide.
- Understanding the clinical spectrum and genetic predispositions in diverse populations is crucial for targeted management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical characteristics of psoriasis in Kuwaiti children.
- To explore the association of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and class II antigens with childhood psoriasis in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 305 Kuwaiti children with psoriasis was assessed for clinical features.
- Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing was performed on 50 of these children.
Main Results:
- Psoriasis in Kuwaiti children showed a female predominance (1:1.5 M:F ratio) and a peak onset between 2-8 years.
- Scalp was the most frequent site of onset (30%), with plaque psoriasis being the most common type (89%).
- Significant associations were found between childhood psoriasis and HLA-A3, Cw1, and DR7 antigens, and HLA-DR8 with a positive family history.
Conclusions:
- Psoriasis in Kuwaiti children exhibits distinct clinical features and genetic associations.
- HLA-A3, Cw1, DR7, and DR8 may play a role in the pathogenesis and familial predisposition of psoriasis in Kuwaiti youth.
Abstract:
A total of 305 consecutive Kuwaiti children with psoriasis were studied for clinical features and 50 children were tissue typed for HLA class I and class II antigens. The salient features of psoriasis in these children included: female preponderance (M : F ratio, 1:1.5); peak age of onset between 2 and 8 years; scalp as the most common site of onset (30%); scalp and extensors of legs as commonly affected sites (52.5% each); plaque psoriasis the most common clinical type (89%); and a positive family history of psoriasis in 34% of the patients. Kuwaiti children with psoriasis showed a significant association with HLA-A3, Cw1, and DR7 antigens and those with a positive family history of psoriasis had a significant association with HLA-DR8 antigen.