Clinical features and comorbidities in psoriasis. A retrospective study

Abstract

Introduction: Patients with psoriasis may develop several comorbidities. Objective: To determine the clinical characteristics and comorbidities associated with psoriasis. Material and methods: This retrospective case-control study involved 422 adult patients with psoriasis and 444 healthy individuals. The inclusion criteria for patients were: over 18 years old and at least one-year history of confirmed psoriasis. Data, such as age, gender, body mass index, smoking, and alcohol consumption habits were analyzed in addition to detailed physical and dermatological examination. Results: The common comorbidities in patients with psoriasis were depression (n = 144, 34%), hypertension (n = 168, 39.81%), diabetes mellitus (n = 100, 23.7%), coronary artery disease (n = 59, 13.9%) and metabolic syndrome (n = 67, 15.88%). The most common conditions in the control group were hypertension (n = 62, 13.96%), hyperlipidemia (n = 62, 13.96%), diabetes mellitus (n = 42; 9.46%), metabolic syndrome (n = 32; 7.21%) and coronary artery disease (5.41%). Patients with psoriasis are at a higher risk for obesity compared to healthy controls (OR = 1.99; p < 0.0001). In addition, smoking and alcohol consumption were significantly higher in patients with psoriasis (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: These results indicate an increased prevalence of obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and depression in patients with psoriasis.