Obesity Associated with Developing Psoriatic Arthritis

The risk of developing psoriatic arthritis may be associated with obesity in young adulthood, according to a report featured in the Archives of Dermatology.

The report found that patients with psoriasis who reported being obese at age 18 showed an increased risk for developing psoriatic arthritis (PA). PA affects 6 to 42% of people with psoriasis, a disease which can lead to joint destruction and significant morbidity.

The researchers also found that those who experienced the onset of psoriasis at a younger age, who were female, and who had a larger body surface affected with psoriasis were more likely to have PA.