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The epidemiology of pediatric psoriasis: A nationwide cohort study in Taiwan
Teng-Li Lin1,2, Yi-Hsuan Fan3, Yi-Ling Chang4
1Department of Dermatology, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Chiayi, Taiwan.
Insights
Pediatric psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) prevalence increased in Taiwan from 2000-2013. Adolescents showed higher rates, and psoriatic arthritis preceding psoriasis was more common in younger children.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Rheumatology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Psoriasis affects all age groups, but pediatric cases are under-researched compared to adult epidemiology.
- Limited data exists on the prevalence and incidence of skin psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in children.
- Understanding pediatric psoriatic disease trends is crucial for early diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and incidence of pediatric skin psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in Taiwan.
- To analyze age- and sex-specific trends and differences between PsO and PsA in the pediatric population.
- To compare the occurrence of PsA preceding PsO in children versus adolescents.
Main Methods:
- A nationwide cohort of 17,535 pediatric patients (<18 years) with psoriatic diseases was analyzed from 2000-2013.
- Data was sourced from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database.
- Age- and sex-standardized prevalence and incidence rates were calculated using 2007 population data.
Main Results:
- Pediatric PsO prevalence rose from 0.03% to 0.07%; PsA prevalence increased from 0.003% to 0.014% (2000-2013).
- Pediatric PsO incidence slightly decreased (19.81 to 17.55 per 100,000), while PsA incidence significantly increased (1.02 to 5.06 per 100,000).
- Adolescents (12-<18 years) had higher PsO and PsA rates than younger children (≤12 years); no sex differences were noted. PsA preceding PsO was more frequent in children (27.07%) than adolescents (13.46%).
Conclusions:
- This study highlights increasing prevalence and incidence trends for pediatric psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in Taiwan.
- Adolescents and younger children exhibit distinct patterns in psoriatic disease occurrence and progression.
- Further research is warranted to identify pediatric psoriasis risk factors and long-term outcomes.
Abstract:
Psoriasis can affect individuals of all age groups. While the epidemiology of psoriasis in adults has been extensively studied, there is limited research specifically investigating pediatric cases. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and incidence of skin psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) among pediatric patients in Taiwan. A nationwide cohort of 17 535 patients with psoriatic diseases under the age of 18 was enrolled from the National Health Insurance Research Database for the period 2000-2013, including 16 129 PsO patients and 2022 PsA patients. The age- and sex-standardized prevalence and incidence of pediatric PsO and PsA were calculated. The 2007 yearly reports of age- and sex-specific distribution of the general population was adopted as a standard. The results showed that between 2000 and 2013, the prevalence for pediatric PsO increased from 0.03% to 0.07%, and from 0.003% to 0.014% for pediatric PsA. During the same period, the incidence slightly decreased from 19.81 to 17.55 per 100 000 for pediatric PsO but increased from 1.02 to 5.06 per 100 000 for pediatric PsA. Adolescents (12 to <18 years) had higher prevalence and incidence rates of PsO and PsA than children (aged ≤ 12 years), with no sex difference observed in either age group. PsA preceding PsO was more common among children than adolescents (27.07% vs. 13.46%). This study provides important insights into the prevalence and incidence of psoriatic diseases in the pediatric population. Further research is needed to identify risk factors for pediatric psoriasis and to investigate its long-term health outcomes.
