Tobacco Exposure Linked to Childhood Psoriasis

A study in Pediatric Dermatology found that environmental tobacco smoke exposure at home was associated with childhood psoriasis in a Turkish population.

Psoriasis is not uncommon in children, with an estimated prevalence of 128 per 100,000 children. However, there is a lack of understanding regarding the relationship between secondhand smoke exposure and the development of psoriasis. Therefore, the authors investigated the relationship by comparing 130 children with psoriasis with 390 healthy controls. Odds ratio of psoriasis for each risk factor was calculated as an estimate of relative risk.

Upon analysis, childhood psoriasis was associated with environmental tobacco smoke exposure (OR: 2.23; 95% CI, 1.39-3.58). This was true irrespective of other factors of intrauterine smoking exposure, family history of psoriasis, and obesity. There was no relationship between childhood psoriasis and intrauterine tobacco exposure.

The authors concluded that additional studies should explore the relationship between childhood psoriasis and environmental tobacco exposure with a larger cohort of patients.

Reference
Atak MF, Kundakci N, Farabi B. Link between childhood tobacco exposure and childhood psoriasis: a case-control study. Pediatr Dermatol. Published online December 17, 2021. doi:10.1111/pde.14896