Genotype-phenotype correlations in a prospective cohort study of paediatric plaque psoriasis: lack of correlation between HLA-C*06 and family history of psoriasis.

This study aims to investigate associations between observed clinical parameters and known genetic risk factors of psoriasis in a well-defined prospective cohort of paediatric patients with plaque psoriasis (n = 151). Significant associations were found for paediatric-onset psoriasis with ERAP1 (p = 0.002), IL23R (p = 0.01), LCE3C_LCE3B-del (p = 0.00049) and HLA-C*06 (p = 3.15 × 10(-30)). Psoriasis severity was associated with the single nucleotide polymorphisms tagging IFIH1 and ERAP1 (p < 0.05). An onset before 10 years of age was associated with IL12B (p = 0.02). Nail psoriasis was more often seen in HLA-C*06-negative patients (p = 0.008). Remarkably, family history is clearly not associated with HLA-C*06 in this specific group. The large proportion of patients with a positive family history in HLA-C*06 negative patients (and the lack of correlation between the two) indicates that other genes, either alone or interaction between two or more genes, may have significant effects on heritability.

Reliability, responsiveness and validity of Scalpdex in children with scalp psoriasis: the Dutch study.

This aim of this study was to validate the Scalpdex, a quality of life questionnaire for adults with scalp dermatitis, in children with scalp psoriasis. The reliability, responsiveness and validity of the 3 scales (symptoms, functioning and emotions) of this 22-item questionnaire were analysed in a cohort of children with scalp psoriasis (age range 6-18 years). A total of 94 children completed the questionnaire once, and 53 children a second time, after treatment of their scalp psoriasis. The Children's Scalpdex in Psoriasis (CSP) demonstrated reliability with internal consistency (Cronbach's α, 0.69-0.91). The CSP scales proved sensitive to change in the expected direction for children whose scalp psoriasis improved. Moderate effect sizes were observed between both visits for all 3 scales of the CSP (Cohen's d, 0.44-0.58). In conclusion, the CSP is a reliable, responsive and valid questionnaire, which is the first to illustrate the specific influence of scalp psoriasis on quality of life in children.

Association of pediatric psoriasis severity with excess and central adiposity: an international cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of excess and central adiposity with pediatric psoriasis severity. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Multicenter, cross-sectional study of 409 psoriatic children. Psoriasis was classified as mild (worst Physician's Global Assessment score ≤3 with body surface area ≤10%) or severe (worst Physician's Global Assessment score ≥3 with body surface area >10%). Children were enrolled from 9 countries between June 19, 2009, and December 2, 2011. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Excess adiposity (body mass index percentile) and central adiposity (waist circumference percentile and waist to height ratio). RESULTS: Excess adiposity (body mass index ≥85th percentile) occurred in 37.9% of psoriatic children (n=155) vs 20.5% of controls (n=42) but did not differ significantly by severity. The odds ratio (95% CI) of obesity (body mass index ≥95th percentile) overall in psoriatic children vs controls was 4.29 (1.96-9.39) and was higher with severe (4.92; 2.20-10.99) than with mild (3.60; 1.56-8.30) psoriasis, particularly in the United States (7.60; 2.47-23.34, and 4.72; 1.43-15.56, respectively). Waist circumference above the 90th percentile occurred in 9.3% of the control (n=19), 14.0% of the mild psoriasis (n=27), and 21.2% of the of severe psoriasis (n=43) participants internationally; this incidence was highest in the United States (12.0% [n=13], 20.8% [16], and 31.1% [32], respectively). Waist to height ratio was significantly higher in psoriatic (0.48) vs control (0.46) children but was unaffected by psoriasis severity. Children with severe psoriasis at its worst, but mild at enrollment, showed no significant difference in excess or central adiposity from children whose psoriasis remained severe. CONCLUSIONS: Globally, children with psoriasis have excess adiposity and increased central adiposity regardless of psoriasis severity. The increased metabolic risks associated with excess and central adiposity warrant early monitoring and lifestyle modification. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00879944

Development and design of a multidisciplinary training program for outpatient children and adolescents with psoriasis and their parents.

INTRODUCTION: To describe and illustrate in a case-study design the development and design of a multidisciplinary training program for outpatient children and adolescents with psoriasis and their parents. METHODS: For the development of the program, a steering group was assembled, systematic semi-structured interviews were held and the literature was reviewed. RESULTS: Aim of the training program was to strengthen patients and their parents in coping with and diminishing psoriasis-related problems in an outpatient setting. The program included treatment modules of medical information and skin care, itch and scratch problems, psychological issues in coping with the psoriasis, sleep hygiene and relapse prevention. Descriptive results in the case patient showed improvement of all outcome variables in the expected direction. CONCLUSION: This is the first multidisciplinary training program for outpatient children and adolescents with psoriasis and their parents. It aims at improving coping skills and self-management and could be a promising addition to regular treatment.