Breast-feeding decreases the risk of developing psoriasis through early adulthood.

Abstract

Psoriasis is a genetically determined systemic skin disease, although environmental trigger factors are required for disease manifestation. Some of these triggers, such as stress, infections, and drug exposure, have been identified. To explore the role of early nutrition as a risk factor for the development of psoriasis. Parents in the ABIS (All Babies in Southeast Sweden) (n= 16145) prospective birth cohort answered questionnaires at birth and by the child's age of 1 and 3 years. Diagnosis of psoriasis was received from the Swedish National Patient Register and National Drug Prescription Register. Statistical analyses were conducted using custom-written R scripts. Individuals breastfed for less than 4 months and receiving infant formula before 4 months were associated with a higher risk of psoriasis (OR 1.84; p=0.018, and OR 1.88; p=0.015 respectively). At the 3-year follow-up, the increased consumption of fish, especially from the Baltic Sea, increased the risk of psoriasis (OR9.61; p=0.003). In addition, the risk of psoriasis increased following large milk consumption (OR2.53; p=0.040). Our study underscores, for the first time, the impact of very early nutrition on the manifestation of psoriasis through early adulthood. Exclusive breastfeeding for 4 months seems protective.