Chondrodermatitis Nodularis Helicis: Association with Higher Risk of Multimorbidity and Mortality in Middle-Aged Individuals and Implications for Prevention. An Observational Multicenter Retrospective Case-Control Investigation in Northern Spain.

Abstract

Introduction: Previous studies have independently linked chondrodermatitis nodularis (CN) with vascular injury, tobacco smoking, and diabetes, particularly in adult patients with early onset lesions.

Objectives: To build on previous research by investigating survival and frequency of comorbidities in adult patients diagnosed with premature CN lesions (<61 years).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicenter case-control observational study focused on individuals diagnosed with CN before the age of 61. Participants were further categorized into those diagnosed before 46 years and those diagnosed between ages 46 and 60 years. We evaluated the frequency of cancer, chronic obstructive lung disease, severe liver disease, diabetes mellitus, HIV infection, arterial disease, hypertension, dyslipidemia, multimorbidity, and tobacco smoking as well as survival rates. Statistical analysis included univariate analysis (including Holm-Bonferroni test), Kaplan-Meier plot estimation with log-rank test, and multivariate Cox analysis.

Results: Patients diagnosed with CN between ages 46 and <61 years showed significantly greater multimorbidity (Holm-Bonferroni test, P=0.00007 < 0.00122) and higher mortality rates compared to controls (log-rank test, P=0.006). Multivariate Cox analysis revealed an adjusted HR of 2.75 (95% CI: 1.36-5.54, P=0.005).

Conclusions: The novel finding of this retrospective multicenter study is that a diagnosis of CN in middle-aged patients could be a marker of elevated risk of systemic comorbidity and mortality. These results highlight the need for prospective studies to confirm these associations. Meanwhile, clinicians should be aware that emphasizing healthy lifestyle choices of patients with CN may have an important preventive value.