['\u2002 It has been shown that a deletion in the late cornified envelope (LCE) gene cluster (LCE3C_LCE3B-del) is associated with susceptibility to psoriasis in European populations. However, the relationship remains unclear in a northern Chinese population.', 'The aim of the present study was to clarify this association in this population.', 'In total, 970 patients with psoriasis and 1064 healthy controls were recruited and a polymerase chain reaction assay was used to determine the frequency of this deletion. The effect of this deletion on susceptibility to psoriasis was assessed using SPSS software and the PLINK software package.', 'The frequency of the LCE3C_LCE3B-del differed significantly between patients and healthy controls. In subgroup analysis, the distribution was significantly different between patients with a positive family history of psoriasis and controls, as well as between patients with early-onset psoriasis and controls.'] Is deletion of LCE3C and LCE3B genes associated with psoriasis in a northern Chinese population?