A Polygenic Risk Score for Predicting Racial and Genetic Susceptibility to Prurigo Nodularis

Prurigo nodularis (PN) is an understudied inflammatory skin disease characterized by pruritic, hyperkeratotic nodules. Identifying the genetic factors underlying PN could help to better understand its etiology and guide the development of therapies. In this study, we developed a polygenic risk score that predicts a diagnosis of PN (OR = 1.41, P = 1.6 x 10-5) in two independent and continentally distinct populations. We also performed GWASs, which uncovered genetic variants associated with PN, including one near PLCB4 (rs6039266: OR = 3.15, P = 4.8 x 10-8) and others near TXNRD1 (rs34217906: OR = 1.71, P = 6.4 x 10-7; rs7134193: OR = 1.57, P = 1.1 x 10-6). Finally, we discovered that Black patients have over a two-times greater genetic risk of developing PN (OR = 2.63, P = 7.8 x 10-4). Combining the polygenic risk score and self-reported race together was significantly predictive of PN (OR = 1.32, P = 4.7 x 10-3). Strikingly, this association was more significant with race than after adjusting for genetic ancestry. Because race is a sociocultural construct and not a genetically bound category, our findings suggest that genetics, environmental influence, and social determinants of health likely affect the development of PN and may contribute to clinically observed racial disparities.