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.