Keratosis pilaris and prevalence of acne vulgaris: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BACKGROUNDAcne vulgaris has an important genetic predisposition, as well as keratosis pilaris. Clinical observations suggest that patients with keratosis pilaris have less frequent or less severe acne breakouts; however, we found no studies on this regardOBJECTIVETo determine if the presence of keratosis pilaris is associated with lower prevalence and severity of acne.METHODSA cross-sectional study was conducted with dermatology outpatients aged between 14 and 35 years. We evaluated history and clinical grade of acne, demographic variables, history of atopy, smoking, and use of hormonal contraceptives. Two groups were defined by the presence or absence of moderate to severe keratosis pilaris on the arms and were compared by bivariate analysis and by conditional multiple logistic regression.RESULTSWe included 158 patients (66% women), with a median age of 23±11 years. Twenty-six percent of them had keratosis pilaris, which was associated with a history of atopy (odds ratio [OR]=2.80 [1.36 to 5.75]; p<0.01). Acne was present in 66% of subjects, and was related to family history of acne (OR=5.75 [2.47 to 13.37]; p<0.01). In bivariate and multivariate analysis, the group with keratosis pilaris had a less frequent history of acne (OR=0.32 [0.14 to 0.70]; p<0.01).CONCLUSIONThe presence of moderate to severe keratosis pilaris on the arms was associated with lower prevalence of acne vulgaris and lower severity of facial lesions in adolescents and young adults.

Dermatological manifestations in cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome: a prospective multicentric study of 45 mutation‐positive patients

“…We observed KP in 82% of patients, an overall higher frequency than the 11–73% range observed in genetic studies of CFCS, but close to that of a large paediatric dermatological study . Mild‐to‐moderate KP is not unusual in children and adolescents in the general population (2–26%), those with CS (9–33%) and those with SOS1 ‐mutated NS (up to 50%) . However, generalized KP involvement, present in about one‐quarter of our cases of CFCS, is usually not mentioned in large series of patients with CS or NS and therefore could provide a valuable clinical orientation sign for CFCS.…”

Dermatological manifestations in Noonan syndrome: a prospective multicentric study of 129 patients positive for mutation

“…Considering their relatively lower frequencies and the potentially significant changes in scalp hair characteristics during childhood and adolescence in NS, these hair abnormalities appear to be of little use for diagnosing NS. We observed KP in 18·5% of patients, which is a relatively higher frequency than 6% as previously reported, but not significant given that KP frequencies in children and adolescents in the general population vary from 2% to 26% …”

Clinical and dermoscopic evaluation of fractional carbon dioxide laser in management of keratosis pilaris in Egyptian type skin

“…More than half of our patients gave a history of only mild comedonal acne, none requiring systemic medications. Schmitt et al reported a lower severity of acne vulgaris in patients with KP pilaris of the arms. The lower acne severity in patients with KP may be due to a lower sebaceous secretion or to a differentiated follicular keratinization determined by genetic factors such as those observed in the chromosome 18p deletion syndrome …”

“…KP severity was subjectively graded by the same investigator as absent, mild, moderate, and severe (0 to 3), according to the density and intensity of follicular keratotic papules and of the associated erythema and hyperpigmentation . Dermoscopic examination of the affected areas was also done to confirm diagnosis and to determine the severity …”