Prevalence of psoriasis in China: a population-based study in six cities.
BACKGROUND
Although psoriasis occurs worldwide, the prevalence varies considerably between different peoples and regions. In China, a questionnaire-based study was carried out in 1987 and the prevalence of psoriasis was found to be 0.12%. Since then, no large-scale, population-based study has been reported.


OBJECTIVE
To obtain the accurate figures for the prevalence of psoriasis in China.


METHODS
A population-based survey was conducted in 6 cities. The cluster sampling method was used to select communities in each city. The subjects were required to fill out self-reporting questionnaires during a face-to-face interview and also received physical examination by dermatologists.


RESULTS
19,974 subjects were visited and 17,345 completed the questionnaires and received dermatological examination. 102 subjects (0.59%) were found to have psoriasis. After standardization, the prevalence of psoriasis was 0.47%. The prevalence of psoriasis in males and females was 0.54% and 0.44% respectively. 97.06% of the patients had psoriasis vulgaris. 28.43% of the patients reported a family history of psoriasis. 59.80% of patients experienced a negative influence on the quality of life.


CONCLUSIONS
This population-based and dermatologist-confirmed study showed that the prevalence of psoriasis in China is 0.47%, which is higher than that reported in 1987.
Department of Dermatology, Peking University People's Hospital, #11 Xi Zhi Men Avenue South, Beijing 100044, China.
Xiaolan
X
Ding
Tinglin
T
Wang
Yiwei
Y
Shen
Xiaoyan
X
Wang
Cheng
C
Zhou
Shan
S
Tian
Ying
Y
Liu
Guanghui
G
Peng
June
J
Zhou
Shuqi
S
Xue
Renli
R
Wang
Ying
Y
Tang
Xuemei
X
Meng
Guangde
G
Pei
Yunhua
Y
Bai
Qing
Q
Liu
Hang
H
Li
Jianzhong
J
Zhang
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination; D015995:Prevalence; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult