Tonsillitis and pediatric psoriasis: Cohort and cross-sectional analyses of offspring from the Danish National Birth Cohort.

BACKGROUND

Streptococcal tonsillitis has been implicated in psoriasis; however, few population studies have examined its role in the pediatric population.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between tonsillitis and pediatric psoriasis.

METHODS

Data from the Danish National Birth Cohort were obtained on parentally reported psoriasis by age 11 years and history of tonsillitis at ages 6 to 18 months, 10 to 11 years, and (from hospital patient registry data) 0 to 11 years. We estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of pediatric psoriasis using logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

In total, 35 188 offspring were eligible for analyses. Tonsillitis at 6 to 18 months was not associated with pediatric psoriasis (adjusted OR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.47-1.14), nor was recent tonsillitis at ages 10 to 11 years (adjusted OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.81-1.47). However, recurrent tonsillitis between ages 10 to 11 was strongly associated with pediatric psoriasis (adjusted OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.17-4.48). Our results for streptococcal tonsillitis indicated a potential association (adjusted OR, 2.12; 95% CI, 0.86-5.17).

LIMITATIONS: It was not possible to clarify the temporal relationship between tonsillitis and pediatric psoriasis.

CONCLUSION

Recurrent tonsillitis is of clinical relevance to pediatric psoriasis.