Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42518883›Full record

ReviewClinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology2026

Epidemiological Features and Pathogenic Mechanisms of Steatocystoma Multiplex: A Systematic Review.

Jiachen Sun, Jingyan Gu, Yuan Wang, Zilian Liu, Chuan Ma

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Jiachen Sun *Department of Dermatology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.ORCID 0000-0002-9578-229X
Jingyan Gu *Department of Dermatology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.ORCID 0009-0005-0369-0654
Yuan Wang *Department of Dermatology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
Zilian LiuDepartment of Dermatology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
Chuan MaDepartment of Dermatology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Steatocystoma multiplex (SM) is a rare hereditary skin disorder arising from the pilosebaceous unit, clinically characterized by multiple asymptomatic sebum-containing cysts predominantly distributed on the chest, axillae, and upper arms. However, the epidemiological features and pathogenic mechanisms of SM remain poorly characterized. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and CNKI was conducted for studies published between January 2003 and December 2023. Case reports and observational studies reporting individual-level clinical data on confirmed SM patients were eligible. Demographic, clinical, and genetic data were extracted and analyzed using appropriate statistical tests. Results: A total of 145 cases from 82 publications were included. SM showed no clear geographical or ethnic predilection. The median age at onset was 23 years and the median age at diagnosis was 31 years, reflecting a diagnostic delay of approximately 8 years. Familial cases (26.2%) had a significantly earlier age at onset (13.5 vs. 30.0 years, P < 0.001) and diagnosis (22.0 vs. 35.0 years, P < 0.001), and higher rates of infected lesions and nail dystrophy. Hidradenitis suppurativa was more prevalent in females (12.5% vs. 1.5%, P = 0.019), and sex-based differences in lesion distribution were observed. KRT17 was the most frequently mutated gene, with Arg94 as the predominant mutation site. KRT17 mutations are thought to impair cytoskeletal integrity within the pilosebaceous unit, while hormonal factors - particularly androgen-driven sebaceous gland activation during puberty - are implicated as additional modulators of disease onset and lesion distribution. Conclusion: This review characterizes the epidemiological and clinical features of SM, demonstrating meaningful differences between familial and sporadic cases and between sexes. Genotype-phenotype discordance and KRT17-negative cases suggest that modifier genes and hormonal factors contribute to phenotypic determination. The substantial diagnostic delay highlights the need for improved clinical awareness, and mutation-targeted therapeutic strategies warrant further investigation.

Indexed as

epidemiological featurespathogenic mechanismssteatocystoma multiplexsystematic review

Identifiers

PMID42518883
PMCPMC13381351

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