Risk Factors for Seborrhoeic Dermatitis Flares: Case-control and Case-crossover Study

Patients with flares of seborrhoeic dermatitis were compared with control outpatients seen during the same time-period in a case-control study, and with themselves while in remission in a case-crossover study. All patients consulted the same office-based dermatologist. During the study period, 189 cases and 189 controls were included in the case-control study, and 81 cases in the case-crossover study. Multivariate analysis was performed. Case-control study results were the following: past history of tobacco consumption (odds ratio (OR) 2.2 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–4.6)), conflict as a dispute during the past month (OR 10.6 (95% CI 1.0–114.3)), alcohol consumption on a regular basis (OR 10.2 (95% CI 2.0–52.6)), and higher level of stress during the past month (OR 8.2 (95% CI 3.4–19.9)). Case-crossover study results were the following: higher level of stress during the past month (OR 4.5 (1.7–12.2)), association borderline significant for higher level of alcohol consumption (OR 5.4 (0.8–34.9)). These risk factors for flares of seborrhoeic dermatitis should be taken into account carefully in the daily management of seborrhoeic dermatitis.