Obesity as a comorbid factor in a boy with psoriasis vulgaris

Abstract

In recent days, the correlation between obesity and psoriasis has strongly emerged. Evidence shows that obesity is not only the risk factor for psoriasis incidence but also aggravates existing psoriasis. A 6-year-old boy with a fat posture, came to our clinic accompanied by his mother, with the chief complaint of the pruritic rashes that have emerged on his skin surface within the past three years. The calculated body mass index (BMI) was 26.46kg/m2, which falls to the obese category. The rashes begin to emerge on the abdomen, then they spread to the back, gluteal area, and limbs as the medications that given cannot control the spread of the disease. An oral antihistamine, topical steroid, and moisturizer have been given to the patient but provide only temporary relief. The weight reduction and caloric intake limitation are encouraged to the patient as the concurrent approach to the treatment of the disease. The exact mechanisms underlying the relationship between obesity and psoriasis are unclear and need to be elucidated. By understanding the mechanisms and genes that playing the role in both conditions, a better approach of the treatments can be obtained.