Potential Connection Discovered Between Psoriasis and Kidney, Liver, and Pancreatic Diseases

In patients diagnosed with psoriasis, disease severity has been strongly associated with developing a higher risk of comorbidities affecting the kidney, liver, and pancreas.

In the study, published in JAMA Dermatology, researchers surveyed general practitioners focused on psoriasis treatment; they found significant links between psoriasis severity and other conditions like COPD, diabetes, mild liver disease, myocardial infarction, peptic ulcer disease, renal disease, and other rheumatologic diseases.

According to Joel M. Gelfand, MD, although psoriasis mainly affects the skin, the relationship comorbidities could be attributed to the widespread inflammation within the body, ultimately leading to other health conditions.

Also, researchers highlighted that many of these diseases share a common TH-1 pathway, which has long been known to promote both inflammation and insulin resistance.

“The complications from diabetes and links to COPD, kidney disease, and peptic ulcers we identified suggest new areas for research, while for the first time, demonstrating how increasing body surface area affected by psoriasis is directly associated with increasing risk of atherosclerotic disease,” Gelfand reported in a news release.

Approximately 30% of psoriasis patients will develop psoriatic arthritis, making them more susceptible for cardiovascular disease, depression, and other health conditions:

· Cancer - lymphoma, melanoma

· Crohn’s disease — 10% of female psoriasis patients will also develop an inflammatory bowel disease like CD, since these patients reportedly share genetic mutations

· Diabetes — psoriasis contributes to inflammation and insulin resistance

· Metabolic syndrome — a study of a national sample of 6,500 psoriasis patients showed 40% had metabolic syndrome (heart disease, obesity, and high blood pressure) compared to the 23% in the healthy samples

· Osteoporosis — according to a small study, 60% of psoriasis patients had osteopenia, while 18% already developed osteoporosis

· Uveitis — nearly 7% of psoriasis patients will develop this inflammatory eye disease

· Liver disease — psoriatic arthritis patients are at a higher risk for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

Experts urge patients to understand their risk factors for these comorbid conditions to take proper action toward prevention and management of healthy lifestyles.