Clinical features and risk factors for striae distensae in Korean adolescents

BACKGROUND: Despite the high prevalence of striae distensae, clinical studies are few in number, and their pathophysiology still obscure. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of striae distensae that occur in Korean adolescents, and to correlate their clinical features with family history, other dermatological conditions, and body measurements. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-seven healthy Korean students, aged 15 to 17, were studied. A questionnaire and physical examination were employed to assess the subjects' past and family history, and the distribution, clinical features and severity of striae distensae. RESULTS: Striae distensae were present in 131 subjects (83.4%). Ninety-four (88.2%) of 109 male and 37 (77.1%) of 48 female subjects were affected. The striae were white in colour in 69.5% and asymptomatic in most of the subjects. They developed at an average age of 13.8 years. Family history was present in 18 subjects (11.5%). Seborrhoea of the face was positively correlated (P < 0.035) with striae distensae, and atopic dermatitis negatively correlated (P < 0.001). In both sexes, the buttock was the most prevalent area of striae development, followed by the lower back and knee in boys and by the thigh and calf in girls. Striae were significantly more common on the thigh of girls and on the knee of boys. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that striae distensae are a common skin condition that occurs early in puberty regardless of gender, and that they have a different anatomical distribution and relationship with body measurements in each gender.