Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
02:28
Measuring Psoriasis Severity at Home
Published on: March 1, 2024
Complexity of the association between psoriasis and comorbidities
Tamar Nijsten1, Marlies Wakkee
1Department of Dermatology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. t.nijsten@erasmusmc.nl
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology
|June 13, 2009
Summary
Psoriasis is linked to other health issues like metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha may explain these connections, but more research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Immunology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Observational studies suggest psoriasis is associated with comorbidities.
- Metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis are frequently observed comorbidities.
- Elevated tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a hypothesized link.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the complex associations between psoriasis and comorbidities.
- To explore potential biological explanations, such as TNF-α.
- To examine the limitations of observational studies and clinical implications.
Main Methods:
- Commentary and discussion of existing observational studies.
- Analysis of potential confounding factors.
- Review of risk differences and clinical relevance.
Main Results:
- Psoriasis shows associations with metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis.
- TNF-α is a plausible biological mediator for these associations.
- Observational studies have limitations in establishing causality.
Conclusions:
- The relationship between psoriasis and comorbidities is complex.
- Residual confounding and study limitations must be considered.
- The clinical impact of viewing psoriasis as a systemic disease warrants further investigation.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia, a complex psychiatric disorder, has been historically misunderstood. Early psychological theories attributed its origins to childhood trauma and unresponsive parenting. However, contemporary research largely rejects these notions, favoring the vulnerability-stress hypothesis. This model proposes that individuals with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may develop the disorder following exposure to significant environmental stressors. Notably, studies on high-risk...
01:23Skin Diseases and Disorders
Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
01:20COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of lung conditions that progressively worsen over time, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. This cluster of diseases collectively leads to a gradual and irreversible decline in lung function over time.
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...
01:19Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...
01:17Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
01:25Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.
Understanding the variety of primary symptoms and systemic complications that characterize chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is crucial for healthcare professionals.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD: