Insights Into Demographics, Comorbidities, and Risk Factors in Keloids and Hypertrophic Scars: A Retrospective Study

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Wound Healing Research
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Hypertrophic scars and keloids are abnormal wound healing responses.
• Identifying risk factors is key for prevention and management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate associations between hypertrophic scars/keloids and demographic factors (race, ethnicity) and comorbidities.
• To identify potential therapeutic targets based on comorbidity correlations.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 6,249 patients using the TriNetX database.
• Identification via ICD-10 code L91.0, with age-, sex-, and race-matched controls.
• Quantification of associations using odds ratios (OR) and P-values.

Main Results:

• Increased risk observed in Black/African American individuals (OR=1.74, P<0.01) compared to White and Hispanic populations.
• Comorbidities like scarring alopecia, rosacea, atopic dermatitis, and acne were significantly associated with higher risk.
• Potential therapeutic targets identified include IL-4 and IL-13 due to shared inflammatory pathways.

Conclusions:

• Findings suggest a higher prevalence of hypertrophic scars and keloids in Black/African American races, possibly due to melanocyte-fibroblast interactions.
• Inflammatory skin conditions share cytokine pathways with scarring, indicating potential for targeted therapies.
• Further research is needed to explore associations with conditions like vitiligo and address study limitations.