New Data On Co-Morbidities In Psoriasis Highlight That Skin Inflammation May Be The Tip Of The Iceberg

Main Category: Eczema / Psoriasis
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 06 Oct 2006 - 0:00 PDT

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Initial research shows that there may be a link between psoriasis and co-morbid conditions (cardiovascular, liver disease, depression and obesity). The International Psoriasis Council (IPC) will hold a collaborative Consensus Meeting, bringing together medical professionals from across different disease areas, to look at the inflammatory nature of psoriasis and how it might be linked with obesity and other co-morbid conditions. The meeting will be held on 3rd October in Rhodes, Greece, just prior to the 15th European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress.

New data will be presented at the IPC meeting showing that:

-- In a statistical study of 10,000 patients in clinical trials conducted over the past 5 years, psoriasis patients are more likely to have body mass index (BMI) measurements in the overweight and obese ranges than members of the general population.

-- Higher BMIs may be linked to other diseases and health conditions including cardiovascular disease.

-- There is an increased tendency to use alcohol and tobacco among psoriasis patients. The group will discuss how these behaviors may be linked to other health risks.

The co-morbidities associated with psoriasis will be a key topic for discussion among dermatologists at EADV, with many studies being presented at the meeting. This emphasis on co-morbidities among the medical community further highlights the importance of understanding the pathogenesis from inflammation in the skin to manifestations in other organs.

Important recommendations resulting from the Consensus Meeting will be issued in collaboration with the International Federation for Psoriasis Associations on World Psoriasis Day on 29th October. The consensus guidance will explain the importance of physicians, patients and their carers recognising the benefits of early diagnosis, appropriate treatment and regular monitoring of psoriasis for signs of co-morbidities. Areas for further research to explore the co-morbidity links and the implications of these findings for clinical practice will also be identified.

http://www.psoriasiscouncil.org

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