Background/Purpose: Autoimmune diseases are known to be associated with an increased risk of many types of cancers. This study investigates the association between different types of skin cancers and certain autoimmune diseases.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database, analyzing data from patients aged 18 and above admitted between 2016 and 2019. The diseases studied were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes. We applied multivariate logistic regression models to determine the adjusted odds ratios (AORs) for skin cancers associated with various autoimmune conditions. Adjustments were made for potential confounders, including age, sex, race, smoking status, history of immunosuppression, organ transplantation, HIV infection, and the presence of specific autoimmune diseases.

Results: The study revealed significant associations between certain autoimmune conditions and skin cancers compared to patients without an autoimmune disease. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and systemic sclerosis were found to have increased odds of developing cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, with adjusted odds ratios (AOR) of 1.24 (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.05-1.47, P=0.01), 1.76 (95% CI 1.22-2.54, P=0.002), and 1.96 (95% CI 1.01-3.78, P=0.04), respectively. In contrast, no significant association was found for melanoma and basal cell carcinoma.

Patients with dermatomyositis had significantly increased odds of developing melanoma (AOR 2.44 [95% CI 1.16-5.13], P=0.018). Meanwhile, their odds of developing cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma were not statistically significant.

Results are summarized in Table 1.

Conclusion: This retrospective study demonstrates an association of skin cancers with certain autoimmune conditions. Notably, there is an elevated risk of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and systemic sclerosis, as well as an increased risk of melanoma in patients with dermatomyositis. These results highlight the need for regular dermatologic screenings for individuals with autoimmune diseases.

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/assessment-of-skin-cancer-risk-in-autoimmune-diseases-a-multivariate-analysis-using-a-national-inpatient-database/