연구성과 홍보

Br J Dermatol. 2025 Feb 18;192(3):430-439.

Title : Association of childhood obesity or weight change with early-onset follicular occlusion triad in children

Authors : Seong Rae Kim1, Seong-Joon Koh2,3, Hyunsun Park1,3,4*

Affiliations :

1Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

2Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

3Laboratory of Intestinal Mucosa and Skin Immunology, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

4Department of Dermatology, Seoul Metropolitan Government-Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

DOI: 10.1093/bjd/ljae414.

Abstract :

Background: The effects of childhood obesity or weight gain on the development of early-onset follicular occlusion triad (FOT), which includes hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), acne conglobata (AC) and dissecting cellulitis of the scalp (DCS) in children, remain unknown.

Objectives: To investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and changes in BMI and the development of early-onset FOT in children.

Methods: This nationwide population-based longitudinal cohort study included a cohort of 2 012 928 Korean children who underwent two consecutive health examinations at 30-36 months and 42-48 months of age, respectively, between 2009 and 2020. BMI and changes in BMI were derived during these health screenings. We performed multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses to estimate the risk of early-onset FOT, including HS, AC and DCS.

Results: During follow-up, 1283 FOT events, including 143 cases of HS, 1068 cases of AC and 72 cases of DCS, were identified. Children with obesity had an elevated risk of early-onset FOT than those with a normal weight [FOT: adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.49, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.21-1.84; HS: aHR 2.30, 95% CI 1.39-3.82; AC: aHR 1.36, 95% CI 1.07-1.73]. BMI gain was correlated with an elevated risk of early-onset FOT, particularly HS, whereas BMI loss was linked to a decreased risk of early-onset FOT, especially HS. Children who developed obesity had an increased risk of early-onset FOT (aHR 1.51, 95% CI 1.07-2.14) vs. those who maintained a normal weight. Children with obesity who reduced to a normal weight exhibited a decreased risk of early-onset FOT [FOT: aHR 0.41, 95% CI 0.17-0.96 (Ptrend = 0.02); HS: Ptrend = 0.05] than children with obesity who retained their weight.

Conclusions: Childhood obesity is associated with an elevated risk of early-onset FOT, including HS and AC. Weight gain is correlated with an increased risk of early-onset FOT, especially HS, while weight loss is associated with a decreased risk of early-onset FOT, particularly HS. Implementing purposeful weight-reduction strategies may be helpful in preventing the development of early-onset FOT.