High body mass index, dry scaly leg skin and atopic conditions are highly associated with keratosis pilaris.
BACKGROUND
In a previous study we have found that young patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus had a higher prevalence of keratosis pilaris (KP) than healthy controls, with a high correlation with body mass index (BMI) and ichthyosiform skin changes of the legs.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether BMI, dry scaly legs and atopic conditions could be associated with KP in a healthy population of adolescents.


METHODS
A total of 202 Jewish adolescents chosen at random among students undergoing a routine medical examination at school participated in the study. The patients filled in a questionnaire for data on ethnic origin, the presence or history of allergic rhinitis, asthma or atopic dermatitis, the presence of thyroid disease, diabetes or dry skin. A similar questionnaire was sent to the family physician for verification. A general inspection of the skin was made for the presence of KP; the lower legs were also examined for dry scaly skin and ichthyosiform skin changes.


RESULTS
KP was present in 33 examinees (16%). Factors significantly associated with were dry scaly skin (p < 0.001, odds ratio, OR = 31.3, with 95% confidence interval, CI, 6.4-153.7), BMI >25 (p < 0.001, OR = 4.9, with 95% CI 2.2-11.2) and atopy (p = 0.001, OR = 4.5, with 95% CI 1.8-11.1).


CONCLUSIONS
It therefore appears that KP is associated with multiple factors, including high BMI, leg skin dryness and atopic conditions.
Yosipovitch
G
G
Department of Dermatology, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel. gil@nsc.gov.sg
Mevorah
B
B
Mashiach
J
J
Chan
Y H
YH
David
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007585:Jews; D007642:Keratosis; D007868:Leg Dermatoses; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*; D012871:Skin Diseases; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires