News - January/February 2022

Biologic Treatment Elevates Dual Specificity Phosphatase 22 in Psoriasis
A study published the Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis found that dual specificity phosphatase 22 (DUSP22) decreases and negatively correlates with disease activity in psoriasis. Additionally, its longitudinal elevation reflected satisfactory treatment response in patients with psoriasis over time.

The study authors aimed to find the correlation between DUSP22 and clinical features and treatment outcomes in patients with psoriasis. They noted while DUSP22 plays a major role in the regulation of immune and inflammation in psoriasis, this study was to investigate its longitudinal change over time in patients with psoriasis.

They recruited 120 patients with psoriasis, as well as 50 patients who had other skin inflammations as disease controls (DCs) and another 50 patients as health controls (HCs). During baseline months (M) 1, 3, and 6, serum samples were collected from patients with psoriasis after initiation of etanercept-based treatment in addition to samples from DCs and HCs after enrollment to assess DUSP22 level by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Researchers found that patients with psoriasis showed lower DUSP22 compared with HCs and DCs. Additionally, DUSP22 was linked to lower Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score and systemic biologic treatment history; however, other demographics, disease characteristics, or treatment history were not included. Authors also noted that DUSP22 was increased with time in total patients.

They found that “DUSP22 at M3 (P = .004) and M6 (P < .001) was higher in response patients than in nonresponse patients evaluated by PASI 75. Additionally, DUSP22 at M3 (P < .001) and M6 (P = .003) was also increased in response patients compared with nonresponse patients evaluated by PASI 90.” They concluded that DUSP22 was decreased and negatively correlated with psoriasis disease activity, with long-term treatment showing elevation in patients with psoriasis who responded to therapy.

Reference
E C, Fang Y, Wu S, Meng Z, Qin G, Yang J. Dual specificity phosphatase 22 relates to skin lesion degree and biologics history, while its longitudinal elevation during treatment reflects better outcome in psoriasis patients. J Clin Lab Anal. Published online December 31, 2021. doi:10.1002/jcla.24199

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

Paraben Exposure Increases Atopic Dermatitis Prevalence in Young Children
High exposure to parabens in children aged 0 to 3 years increased the prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD), according to a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

Researchers aimed to examine the relationship between paraben exposure and the prevalence of allergic diseases in Japanese children aged 3 years or younger in a cross-sectional epidemiology study. Data on 236 children who underwent one of the following medical check-ups between January 2017 and March 2019 were included in the study: a 4-month-old medical check-up, a 1.5-year- old medical check-up, and a 3-year-old child medical check-up. Current allergic diseases were assessed by the health check-up doctor. Children and their caregivers were examined for all daily commodities used and their frequency of use. The presence of parabens in each item used was examined and individual exposure to parabens was assessed using urinary concentrations.

Children with high urinary concentrations of parabens showed a higher prevalence of AD compared with those with low urinary concentrations. A low number of cases of food and nasal allergies prevented a statistical analysis of the prevalence difference between the two groups with high and low urinary concentrations.

“The cross-sectional epidemiology of 236 children aged [0 to 3] years in Shika town in Japan showed that the prevalence of [AD] was significantly higher in children exposed to parabens, which was assessed using urine samples,” concluded the study authors.

Reference
Arafune J, Tsujiguchi H, Hara A, et al. Increased prevalence of atopic dermatitis in children aged 0-3 years highly exposed to parabens. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(21):11657. doi:10.3390/ijerph182111657

Alopecia Areata Is Associated With the Risk of Dementia
Patients with alopecia areata (AA) are at a higher risk for developing dementia than patients without AA.

In a nationwide cohort study, researchers aimed to identify the association between AA and dementia since the great negative psychosocial impact of AA can result in poor social engagement, which is a risk factor for dementia.

Patients with AA aged 45 years or older and matched controls identified via the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database were included in the study. The patients were investigated for subsequent dementia from enrollment (1998-2011) to the end of 2013. Statistical analyses determined dementia risk between the AA and control groups.

Patients with AA showed a higher risk for developing dementia, Alzheimer disease (AD), and unspecified dementia compared with the control group. Age and sex did not impact the risk of dementia, but male patients and those with dementia onset at age 65 years or older had increased risk for AD.

“Patients with AA had a higher risk of developing dementia,” concluded the study authors. “Further studies are needed to elucidate the underlying pathophysiology between AA and dementia risk,” they added.

Reference
Li CY, Tai YH, Dai YX, et al. Association of alopecia areata and the risk of dementia: a nationwide cohort study. J Clin Psychiatry. 2021;82(6):21m13931. doi:10.4088/ JCP.21m13931