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Psoriasis and eczema are not mutually exclusive diseases
1St. John's Institute of Dermatology, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, UK.
Insights
This study found that eczema and psoriasis can occur together in individuals. This challenges previous beliefs and suggests shared pathological mechanisms may be involved in these common skin conditions.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Epidemiology
- Pediatric Health
Background:
- Previous reports suggested limited co-occurrence of psoriasis and eczema.
- Understanding disease co-occurrence may reveal shared or opposing pathological mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the simultaneous and consecutive occurrence of eczema and psoriasis in individuals.
- To assess the co-occurrence of these two common skin conditions.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of skin examination data from 9,263 British children (National Child Development Survey).
- Data collected on children born between March 3rd-9th, 1958, assessed at ages 11 and 16.
- Statistical analysis focused on the co-occurrence of visible eczema and psoriasis.
Main Results:
- 5 out of 354 children (1.4%) with eczema also had psoriasis.
- 89 out of 8,909 children (1.0%) without eczema had psoriasis.
- The relative risk of psoriasis in children with eczema was 1.41 (95% CI: 0.58–3.46).
Conclusions:
- Contrary to some hospital-based studies, this large population study indicates eczema and psoriasis can co-occur.
- Findings suggest concurrent and consecutive presence of both conditions in individuals.
- The co-occurrence warrants further investigation into shared underlying mechanisms.
Background:
Some reports have suggested that psoriasis and eczema are seldom found together. Knowledge of disease co-occurrence could lead to improved understanding of shared or opposing pathological mechanisms.
Objective:
We sought to determine whether psoriasis and eczema could exist simultaneously and consecutively in the same individuals.
Methods:
Skin examination data relating to 9,263 British children born during March 3rd to 9th, 1958 (the National Child Development Survey), were analysed for the co-occurrence of eczema and psoriasis.
Results:
Of 354 children with visible eczema at the ages of 11 or 16 years, 5 (1.4%) were also noted to have visible psoriasis, compared to 89 (1.0%) of 8,909 children who did not have visible eczema at 11 or 16 years. The relative risk of psoriasis in a case of eczema was 1.41, 95% confidence intervals from 0.58 to 3.46.
Conclusion:
Contrary to some hospital-based studies which have suggested that the two diseases are seldom found together, this study of a large and representative population suggests that eczema and psoriasis may co-occur concurrently and consecutively in the same individual.