New Delhi, May 20
While patients with psoriasis -- a chronic skin condition -- respond well to treatment with biologics, inflammation can linger, leading to broader health implications such as obesity and cardiovascular and fatty liver disease, according to a study.
Psoriasis, with its systemic inflammatory nature, high risk of cardiovascular disease, and frequent use of biologic drugs, could provide a valuable framework for studying residual inflammation.
The study, published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, could lead to more targeted and effective treatments that address the systemic aspects of psoriasis, beyond just the skin.
"Despite excellent control of skin disease, a substantial percentage of psoriasis patients demonstrate residual systemic inflammation," said Joel M. Gelfand, Department of Dermatology, at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine, US.
"These findings emphasise that just treating the skin signs of psoriatic disease is not sufficient, and patients often need additional approaches to lowering systemic inflammation," Gelfand added.
For the observational study, the team assessed residual inflammation in 209 psoriasis patients across three international cohorts (Spain, the US, and Sweden) who had achieved a no or mild psoriasis on stable biologic therapy.
They found that residual inflammation was present in 36.3 per cent of these patients and was significantly linked to higher body mass index (BMI), metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), increased baseline systemic inflammation, and greater adipose tissue.
"The findings underscore a critical unmet need to address the systemic inflammatory burden beyond skin symptoms in psoriasis, potentially requiring interventions targeting obesity and metabolic dysfunction to improve overall patient outcomes," said lead investigator Ãlvaro González-Cantero, from the Department of Dermatology at Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal in Spain.
The researchers suggest a more intensive cardiovascular risk assessment and management of psoriasis patients.
This could involve closer monitoring of inflammatory markers like high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, as well as parameters related to liver health, by integrating lifestyle modifications or weight management strategies, potentially leading to earlier detection and intervention for associated comorbidities, the team said, while also calling for further studies to confirm the findings.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is eye-opening! My uncle has psoriasis and also developed fatty liver recently. We never connected the two. Doctors in India should be more aware of these links. The study makes a strong case for holistic treatment beyond just skin care. ðŸ‘
Interesting research but I wonder how applicable this is to Indian patients. Our diet and lifestyle factors are quite different from Western countries where the study was conducted. Would be good to see similar research done in Indian hospitals.
As someone with psoriasis, this explains so much! Despite clear skin from treatment, I've been struggling with weight gain. Doctors never mentioned inflammation could be the culprit. Time to focus on diet and exercise more seriously. Thanks for sharing this important study!
The medical costs for treating all these connected conditions must be enormous. In India where healthcare isn't always affordable, prevention through lifestyle changes becomes even more crucial. Yoga and traditional Ayurvedic diets might help manage inflammation naturally.
While the study is valuable, I'm concerned about the focus on BMI. Many healthy Indians have higher BMI due to different body composition. Doctors should look at overall health rather than just weight numbers. Otherwise, this could lead to unnecessary stress for patients.
Good to see research addressing the bigger picture of psoriasis. In India, we often treat skin conditions in isolation. Time for dermatologists to work more closely with nutritionists and internal medicine specialists. The body is one system after all!
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