Abstract
The association between actinic keratosis (AK) and anthropometric measures has not been investigated. This study aims to evaluate the associations between anthropometric measures and the incidence of AK in South Korea. We analyzed clinical data from individuals aged over 20 years who received a health examination arranged by the national insurance program between 2005 and 2008. Newly diagnosed AK was identified using claims data from baseline to the date of diagnosis or until December 31, 2015. The incidence of AK was highest among the elderly (aged over 60 years) and showed a male bias. The risk of AK increased with greater height. The quintile with the greatest height had an increased risk of AK compared with the quintile with the lowest height (hazard ratio = 1.28, 95% confidence interval: 1.24–1.33) after adjustment for age, sex, income, smoking status, alcohol consumption, hypertension, dyslipidemia, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This study showed a positive association between the incidence of AK and human height. However, it is unclear whether these findings can be generalized to Koreans who have not received an examination or to populations in other countries.
Highlights
Actinic keratosis (AK) is a common skin disorder composed of proliferative and transformed keratinocytes
This study aims to evaluate the associations between anthropometric measures and the incidence of AK in South Korea
Gerstenblith et al reported a complicated association between BMI and skin cancer, in that risk of basal cell carcinoma increased with increasing height but decreased with increasing weight and body mass index (BMI) in both sexes, even after adjusting for UV radiation susceptibility and exposure[8]
Summary
Actinic keratosis (AK) is a common skin disorder composed of proliferative and transformed keratinocytes. AK develops as a result of chronic ultraviolet (UV) exposure and may lead to invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). There are several established independent risk factors for AK, including older age, male sex, high cumulative sun exposure, fair skin type, and living near the equator[4]. The most important risk factor is exposure to UV radiation, which induces genetic mutations in keratinocytes and promotes tumor cell expansion. Gerstenblith et al reported a complicated association between BMI and skin cancer, in that risk of basal cell carcinoma increased with increasing height but decreased with increasing weight and body mass index (BMI) in both sexes, even after adjusting for UV radiation susceptibility and exposure[8]. Concerning the medical burden of AK and the possibility of developing squamous cell carcinoma, the risk factors for AK should be evaluated. We evaluated the associations between anthropometric measures and AK in South Korea, a racially homogenous nation, using a nationally representative dataset with a long-term follow-up period
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