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Elevated waist-to-height ratio associated with pediatric psoriasis

Children with psoriasis were more likely to have elevated waist-to-height ratios compared with those with noninflammatory skin conditions, while the two cohorts did not significantly differ in metabolic syndrome or BMI-determined obesity, according to recent study data.

Researchers in Australia conducted a prospective study from Feb. 7, 2014, to July 15, 2015, of 208 children (mean age, 8.9 years; 110 girls) in a pediatric dermatology clinic and two private consultant rooms of specialist dermatologists. There were 135 children with psoriasis and 73 control patients with no inflammatory skin conditions.

Increased central adiposity, indicated by a waist-to-height ratio (WtHR) of 0.5 or greater, metabolic syndrome and increased BMI were the main outcomes.

Increased central adiposity was more common in children with psoriasis (29%) vs. those without the condition (11%; P = .002).

Among children aged 10 years or older, four of 53 in the psoriasis cohort had metabolic syndrome, compared with none of the 29 controls. There were 20% of children with moderate to severe psoriasis and 3% of children with mild psoriasis who had metabolic syndrome. Children with moderate to severe psoriasis had a slightly greater mean WtHR than those with mild conditions (0.48 vs. 0.46; P = .04).

Prevalence of BMI-determined overweight and obesity status in children did not vary significantly between groups (17%, psoriasis vs. 16%, controls).

“Our findings suggest that in a cohort of children with mostly mild psoriasis, BMI may not be appropriate as the sole tool for identifying children at risk of cardiovascular disease,” the researchers concluded. “Furthermore, BMI in children with psoriasis may not be the best measure of obesity or the best tool to identify those children at increased risk of greater central adiposity. Waist circumference and WtHR of 0.5 or greater may be a better and more accurate metric to identify at-risk children.” – by Bruce Thiel

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.