predisposing factors

Last reviewed 01/2018

The following factors predispose to keloids:

• race:
  • there is a linear relationship between the amount of skin pigmentation and the likelihood of keloid scars; overall keloids are 5-15 times more common in darker-skinned races than in white, caucasian skin
  • keloids are most common in Afrocaribbean and Asian skin
  • early studies indicated that more common in those of Chinese descent compared to those with an Indian or Malaysian background
• age:
  • keloids most commonly occur between 10-40 years of age
  • they only rarely arise de novo elderly subjects
• site; in order of decreasing frequency, keloids occur most commonly at the:
• sternum
• shoulder
• neck
• face
• extensor surface of limbs
• truncal sites other than sternum
• gender:
  • contradictory studies have suggested the highest prevalence in young females, particularly when there are keloids at multiple sites and there is a strong family history(1); this may reflect the higher rate of pierced ears in this group
  • in other age groups, there is no gender bias
• genetic:
  • as suggested by the racial predisposition
  • associated with a number of genetic loci

Ref:

(1) Bayat A, Arscott G et al. Br J Plast Surg (2005); 58(1): 28-37.