Bidirectional Association Between Psoriasis and Obesity: Benefits and Risks.

Area of Science:

• Dermatology and Immunology
• Biochemistry
• Metabolic Diseases

Background:

• Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease.
• Obesity is a common comorbidity associated with psoriasis.
• Understanding the relationship between psoriasis and obesity is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate psoriasin, nestin, keratin-16 (Krt16), and interleukin-21 (IL-21) as potential biochemical markers for psoriasis.
• To correlate these psoriasis markers with obesity biomarkers, including body mass index (BMI), leptin, and resistin.
• To investigate the bidirectional association between obesity and psoriasis.

Main Methods:

• Blood samples were collected from 108 participants categorized into four groups: healthy control, obese, psoriatic, and obese psoriatic.
• Plasma levels of psoriasin, nestin, Krt16, IL-21, leptin, and resistin were measured.
• Statistical analyses were performed to assess correlations and identify cutoff values.

Main Results:

• Psoriasin, nestin, Krt16, IL-21, leptin, and resistin were significantly elevated in psoriatic and obese psoriatic groups.
• Leptin, resistin, IL-21, and Krt16 were also increased in the obese group compared to controls.
• Leptin and resistin positively correlated with psoriasis severity and the candidate biomarkers.

Conclusions:

• Psoriasin, nestin, Krt16, and IL-21 are viable biochemical markers for psoriasis.
• These psoriasis markers demonstrate a significant positive correlation with obesity biomarkers.
• Obesity is implicated as both a risk factor and a potential consequence of psoriasis.