Skin disorders in women with poor obstetric history: MTHFR polymorphisms and importance of preconceptional counseling

Abstract

Objectives

This study focused on the link between skin disorders and Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms.

Methods

Study cases were taken from a pre-conceptional care program where patients with poor obstetric history were evaluated in terms of systemic disorders including skin diseases. This retrospective cohort (n = 472) consisted of 110 (23.3%) and 362 (76.7%) women with or without skin disorders, respectively. For ease of analysis, the history of skin diseases was classified into seven categories: (1) acne/rosacea/other acneiform disorders; (2) fungal disease; (3) pruritis/xerosis; (4) psoriasis vulgaris; (5) acrochordons and other benign skin growths; (6) urticaria/dermatitis; and (7) viral diseases.

Results

In this retrospective cohort of 472 women, we explored the impact of MTHFR A1298C and C677T polymorphisms on skin disorders. Despite similar allelic frequencies, our findings revealed a statistically significant association between the presence of MTHFR polymorphisms and skin disorders (p = .027). Subgroup analysis indicated significantly higher rates of MTHFR polymorphisms in patients with psoriasis vulgaris (p = .033) and acrochordons (p = .030), highlighting their potential relevance in specific skin disorder subtypes.

Conclusions

The increased prevalence of psoriasis and acrochordons among women with MTHFR deficiency underscores the complex relationship between genetic factors and dermatological health. Our findings emphasized the critical role of MTHFR polymorphisms not only in poor obstetric history but also as significant contributors to skin disorders. This dual association highlights the importance of comprehensive preconception counseling, especially customized for women affected by skin disorders.

Keywords:

• Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphisms
• DNA methylation
• skin disorders
• psoriasis vulgaris
• acrochordons

Transparency

Declaration of financial/other relationships

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Author contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Data collection and statistical analysis were performed by MC, HGD and EF. The manuscript was written by HGD and MSB. Critical reading was performed by MSB and all authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Acknowledgements

None.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [HGD], upon reasonable request.

Ethics statement

This retrospective study was approved by the Hacettepe University Ethics Committee with reference number GO 19/1064. The study was based in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent was obtained from the patients.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.