Psoriasis isn’t just an itchy, unsightly skin disease, researchers say -- it’s also linked to an increased risk of heart disease, abdominal fat, stroke, type 2 diabetes and other cardiovascular issues that together make up what’s known as metabolic syndrome.
In a study published online this week in the Archives of Dermatology, researchers looked at data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2003 to 2006. They analyzed data from 2,456 people who had answered questions about psoriasis and given a sample of blood for analysis.
They found that those with psoriasis had a 40% risk of suffering from metabolic syndrome, compared to just 23% among those who did not have psoriasis. They were also more likely to suffer from abdominal obesity (63% compared to 48%) and have lower HDL, or good cholesterol (34% compared to 24%).
"Given its associated serious complications, this comorbidity needs to be recognized and taken into account when treating individuals with psoriasis," the authors write in the study.
People suffering from psoriasis can also develop inflammation and swelling in the joints -- not to mention social stigma and trauma. Check out this first-person account published in The Times this week from a college student who has lived with severe psoriasis.
source: latimes
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