Onset Of Psoriasis Research Articles

Relationship between the efficacy of biologics and clinical plaque psoriasis subtypes in Japanese patients: A single-center pilot study.

Although biologics for plaque psoriasis brought epoch-making efficacy, not all patients achieve treatment success with all reagents. The aim of this study was to clarify the correlation between clinical plaque psoriasis subtypes, age at onset, and the efficacy of biologics. Clinical records for patients with plaque psoriasis at Fukuoka University Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. The efficacy of biologics was compared using the survival of the first biologics administered in treatment-naïve patients. The survival of infliximab, adalimumab, and ustekinumab were followed until December 2016. The patients were clinically classified into three subtypes: small, large, or gigantic plaques using the size of the plaques on the back; early onset psoriasis (EOP, onset <40years); or late-onset psoriasis (LOP, ≥40 years). Eighty-seven patients were enrolled. The survival of biologics was significantly better in large plaques compared with small or gigantic plaques (P=0.0007). In patients treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, large plaques had significantly better survival than did the other types (P=0.0122), while ustekinumab showed good survival in all three subtypes. The survival of biologics was numerically better in EOP than in LOP, but this was not significant. The efficacy of TNF inhibitors was different among clinical subtypes. Psoriatic patients with small plaques may be less responsive to TNF inhibitors. Further studies are needed.

Psoriasis precipitated by timolol eye drops. A series of eight cases.

Induction of psoriasis following administration of beta blocker containing eye drops has rarely been documented. We report eight cases of psoriasis triggered by timolol eye drops. Since the clinical and histopathological features of this drug reaction are indistinguishable from those of idiopathic psoriasis, a thorough drug history should be taken in all patients, especially elderly ones, with recent onset of psoriasis.

Risk Factors for the Development of Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated genetic skin disease. The underlying pathomechanisms involve complex interaction between the innate and adaptive immune system. T cells interact with dendritic cells, macrophages, and keratinocytes, which can be mediated by their secreted cytokines. In the past decade, biologics targeting tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-23, and IL-17 have been developed and approved for the treatment of psoriasis. These biologics have dramatically changed the treatment and management of psoriasis. In contrast, various triggering factors can elicit the disease in genetically predisposed individuals. Recent studies suggest that the exacerbation of psoriasis can lead to systemic inflammation and cardiovascular comorbidity. In addition, psoriasis may be associated with other auto-inflammatory and auto-immune diseases. In this review, we summarize the risk factors, which can be divided into two groups (namely, extrinsic and intrinsic risk factors), responsible for the onset and exacerbation of psoriasis in order to facilitate its prevention.

CARD14/CARMA2sh and TANK differentially regulate poly(I:C)-induced inflammatory reaction in keratinocytes.

CARD14/CARMA2sh (CARMA2sh) is a scaffold protein whose mutations are associated with the onset of human genetic psoriasis and other inflammatory skin disorders. Here we show that the immunomodulatory adapter protein TRAF family member-associated NF-κB activator (TANK) forms a complex with CARMA2sh and MALT1 in a human keratinocytic cell line. We also show that CARMA2 and TANK are individually required to activate the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) response following exposure to polyinosinic-polycytidylic (poly [I:C]), an agonist of toll-like receptor 3. Finally, we present data indicating that TANK is essential for activation of the TBK1/IRF3 pathway following poly (I:C) stimulation, whereas CARMA2sh functions as a repressor of it. More important, we report that two CARMA2sh mutants associated with psoriasis bind less efficiently to TANK and are therefore less effective in suppressing the TBK1/IRF3 pathway. Overall, our data indicate that TANK and CARMA2sh regulate TLR3 signaling in human keratinocytes, which could play a role in the pathophysiology of psoriasis.

How do we treat psoriasis patients with hepatitis C infections in real-world situations? A retrospective analysis of 34 patients

Background There is still relatively limited data on psoriasis and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. Objective This study investigated the clinical characteristics and treatment of psoriasis patients with HCV infections in real-world practice. Methods Medical records of all psoriasis patients with HCV infections who attended the outpatient clinic at Siriraj Hospital over a 10-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Results Of 34 patients, 26 and 8 patients were men and women, respectively with a mean age of 57.0 ± 8.7 (range, 42.2–77.2) years. The median age of psoriasis onset was 42.7 ± 12.7 (range, 8–67.25) years. With a median follow-up period of 13.6 years, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma were found in 67.6% and 29.4% of the patients, respectively. The interferon used for HCV treatment exacerbated the psoriasis in 20% of those patients. Conventional treatments and anti-tumor necrosis factors (anti-TNFs) were used in strict collaboration with hepatologists. No patients experienced a worsening of their HCV infection. Conclusion Despite a limited number of patients, a male predominance and late-onset psoriasis were frequently observed. Although, interferon therapy for HCV can exacerbate psoriasis, it is not contraindicated. All conventional treatments and anti-TNFs can be used, provided that there is strict collaboration with hepatologists.

Incidence Of Psoriatic Arthritis Among Psoriatic Patients In Damietta Governorate

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting approximately 1-6% of population in the world.Aim of the work: To screen psoriatic patients for psoriatic arthritis [PsA] to improve optimal PsA management and outcome.Patients and Methods: This study included one hundred and tow patients with psoriasis recruited from the dermatology outpatient clinics in Damietta, [Al-Azhar University Hospital, Dermatology and Leprosy Hospital and El-Maasarah Hospital]. Patients should fulfill a Simple Psoriatic Arthritis Screening Questionnaire [SiPAS] to calculate the prevalence of psoriatic arthritis among psoriatic patients in Damietta.Results: The study included 42 [41.2%] females and 60 [58.8%] males with age range between 6 -88 years old with mean age 45 years old. Among the 102 included patients with psoriasis, 36 patients [35.3%] had score [≥3]; [63.9%] of them were men and [36.1%] were women with mean age 51 years old, mean age of onset of psoriasis 31 years old and mean duration of psoriasis 19.14 . [77.8%] of them had psoriatic nail lesions. On the other side, 66 patients [64.7%] had score [<3] with mean age 45.19 years old, mean age of onset of psoriasis 32 and mean duration of psoriasis 9 years.Conclusion: Early diagnosis of PsA could prevent permanent joint damage or spinal fusion and could improve long-term patient outcome. The SiPAS questionnaire can be a powerful tool to help dermatologists to quickly screen PsA during their clinical practice. The SiPAS questionnaire is able to quickly screen psoriasis patients for PsA. A SiPAS score ≥3 is an indication for referral to a rheumatologist.

Psoriasis: Obesity and Fatty Acids.

Psoriasis is chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting skin, joints, cardiovascular system, brain, and metabolism. The pathogenesis of psoriasis is mediated by a complex interplay between the immune system, inflammatory mediators of different pathways, e.g., TNF-alpha and the IL-23/IL-17 pathways, psoriasis-associated susceptibility loci, autoantigens, and multiple environmental factors. Psoriasis is triggered by the combination of genetic and environmental factors. A novel environmental risk factor with rising importance is obesity. Several studies proved that obesity is an independent risk factor for the onset and severity of psoriasis. Due to the dramatic increase of obesity worldwide this minireview focuses on obesity as a major environmental risk factor for psoriasis and the mechanisms of obesity-mediated exacerbation of psoriasis.

Adaptive and Innate Immunity in Psoriasis and Other Inflammatory Disorders.

Over the past three decades, a considerable body of evidence has highlighted T cells as pivotal culprits in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. This includes the association of psoriasis with certain MHC (HLA) alleles, oligoclonal expansion of T cells in some cases, therapeutic response to T cell-directed immunomodulation, the onset of psoriasis following bone marrow transplantation, or induction of psoriasis-like inflammation by T cells in experimental animals. There is accumulating clinical and experimental evidence suggesting that both autoimmune and autoinflammatory mechanisms lie at the core of the disease. Indeed, some studies suggested antigenic functions of structural proteins, and complexes of self-DNA with cathelicidin (LL37) or melanocytic ADAMTSL5 have been proposed more recently as actual auto-antigens in some cases of psoriasis. These findings are accompanied by various immunoregulatory mechanisms, which we increasingly understand and which connect innate and adaptive immunity. Specific adaptive autoimmune responses, together with our current view of psoriasis as a systemic inflammatory disorder, raise the question of whether psoriasis may have connections to autoimmune or autoinflammatory disorders elsewhere in the body. While such associations have been suspected for many years, compelling mechanistic evidence in support of this notion is still scant. This review sets into context the current knowledge about innate and adaptive immunological processes in psoriasis and other autoimmune or autoinflammatory diseases.

Urinary orosomucoid: a new marker of cardiovascular risk in psoriatic patients?

PurposePsoriasis is one of the most common lifelong lasting dermatologic diseases. According to the latest studies, psoriatic patients have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Psoriasis is considered as a systemic inflammatory disease. Several oxidative stress markers have been shown to be elevated in psoriasis. However, a panel of biomarkers has not been used yet. This study was aimed at exploring the connection between a panel of biomarkers (C-reactive protein, asymmetric dimethylarginine, uric acid, total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, and orosomucoid [ORM]) and cardiovascular risk in psoriatic patients.Patients and methodsThe inclusion criterion was the onset of psoriasis with skin lesions. Exclusion criteria were impaired renal function (eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73 m2), acute inflammations (urinary, respiratory, skin inflammation, etc), autoimmune disorders (rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or inflammatory bowel disease), and any kind of biological antipsoriatic treatment. Patients with a medical history of myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease, stroke, transient ischemic attack, and carotid artery stenosis were also excluded. Biomarkers were measured by routine procedures, ELISA and HPLC. QRISK®2-2017 was used to assess 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease development. Psoriasis severity was measured by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index.ResultsOne hundred and fourteen psoriatic patients were enrolled. Only urinary orosomucoid and urinary orosomucoid/urinary creatinine (u-ORM/u-CREAT) ratio showed significant correlation with QRISK score (u-ORM, r=0.245; u-ORM/u-CREAT, r=0.309). When comparing mild psoriatic patients to moderate psoriatic patients, significant differences could only be found in u-ORM and u-ORM/u-CREAT ratio.ConclusionThere seems to be a connection between urinary ORM and cardiovascular risk. U-ORM and u-ORM/u-CREAT ratio could be used as an indicator of low-grade inflammation in mild and moderate psoriasis. However, it is the 10-year follow-up of cardiovascular events that will determine the usefulness of this biomarker panel.

Prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease in Japanese psoriatic patients.

Psoriatic patients reportedly have a higher prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, there have been few research studies of Japanese psoriatic patients. To elucidate the prevalence of IBD in Japanese psoriatic patients, a cross-sectional study was performed. Information was collected regarding psoriatic patients with current or prior history of Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) who were treated at Fukuoka University Hospital from 2010 to 2018. Among 681 psoriatic patients (449 men and 232 women), eight (1.2%, six men, two women) had UC and two (0.3%, one man, one woman) had CD. Diagnosis of IBD preceded psoriasis in five patients, while diagnosis of psoriasis preceded IBD in two; the remaining patients' records did not have sufficient information. Seven of 10 UC-positive patients had mild psoriasis, two had moderate psoriasis and one had severe psoriasis. When UC-positive psoriatic patients were compared with IBD-negative psoriatic patients, there were no differences in age at onset of psoriasis, age at first visit or complications (e.g. psoriatic arthritis, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperuricemia and diabetes). However, UC-positive patients had significantly higher body mass index (BMI) (26.7 vs 23.7; P=0.021), compared with patients without IBD. The CD/UC ratio in this cohort was 0.25, while the prevalence of IBD was 1.2%; these values were both lower than those in previous reports involving Caucasian patients. Patients with psoriasis and UC may have higher BMI and milder skin symptoms than those with psoriasis alone. These observations must be further confirmed by controlled domestic studies with larger samples.

Does weight loss reduce the severity and incidence of psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis? A Critically Appraised Topic.

Does weight loss reduce the severity and incidence of psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in obese individuals? Obesity presents a rising public health challenge and is more prevalent among individuals with psoriasis or PsA than in the general population. Longitudinal population-based studies suggest a causal role for obesity in psoriasis and PsA onset and that obesity drives greater disease severity. We systematically reviewed evidence within the MEDLINE, Embase and CENTRAL databases and clinical trials registries examining lifestyle, pharmacological and surgical weight loss interventions in the treatment and prevention of psoriasis and PsA in obese individuals. Meta-analysis was conducted using random-effects models, followed by sensitivity analyses. Of 176 full-text articles reviewed, 14 met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis of six randomized control trials (RCTs) confirmed that weight loss following lifestyle interventions (diet or physical activity) improves psoriasis compared with control [mean change in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index -2·59, 95% confidence interval (CI) -4·09 to -1·09; P < 0·001]. One RCT demonstrated a greater likelihood of achieving minimal PsA activity following diet-induced weight loss (odds ratio 4·20, 95% CI 1·82-9·66; P < 0·001). Three studies of pharmacological treatments reported conflicting results, and no RCTs of bariatric surgery were identified. Two cohort studies suggested that bariatric surgery, particularly gastric bypass, reduces the risk of developing psoriasis (hazard ratio 0·52, 95% CI 0·33-0·81; P < 0·01). These limited data indicate that weight loss can improve pre-existing psoriasis and PsA, and prevent the onset of psoriasis in obese individuals. Together with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence obesity guidance, this informed a local obesity screening and management pathway, providing multidisciplinary weight loss interventions alongside conventional skin-focused care for patients with psoriasis.

The prevalence of ADH1B and OPRM1 alleles predisposing for alcohol consumption are increased in the Hungarian psoriasis population

Alcohol intake affects in great the symptoms and life of psoriasis patients, although the association of SNPs related to increased alcohol consumption with psoriasis has not been elucidated. Therefore, to investigate the association of psoriasis with established alcohol consumption and dependence-related gene variants we conducted a population-based case–control study including 3743 subjects (776 psoriasis cases and 2967 controls from the general Hungarian population). Genotyping of 23 SNPs at ADH1B, ADH1C, ALDH1A1, ALDH2, SLC6A3, DDC, GABRA2, GABRG1, HTR1B, MAOA, TPH2, CHRM2, GRIN2A, POMC, OPRM1, OPRK1 and BDNF were determined and differences in genotype and allele distributions were investigated. Multiple logistic regression analyses were implemented. Analysis revealed association between C allele of the rs1229984 polymorphism (ADH1B gene) and psoriasis risk (ORadditive = 1.58, 95% CI 1.23–2.03, p < 0.001, ORrecessive = 1.58, 95% CI 1.22–2.04, p = 0.001). Furthermore, the G allele of rs1799971 polymorphism (OPRM1 gene) increased the risk of familial aggregation (ORadditive = 1.99, 95% CI 1.36–2.91, p < 0.001 ORdominant = 2.01, 95% CI 1.35–3.01, p < 0.001). In subgroups of psoriatic patients with history of early onset and familial aggregation effect allele ‘C’ of rs1229984 showed association in the additive and recessive models (ORadditive = 2.41, 95% CI 1.26–4.61, p < 0.01, ORrecessive = 2.42, 95% CI 1.26–4.68, p < 0.01). While effect allele ‘G’ of rs1799971 (OPRM1) also associated with increased risk of early onset and familial aggregation of psoriasis in the additive and dominant models (ORadditive = 1.75, 95% CI 1.27–2.43, p = 0.001, ORdominant = 1.82, 95% CI 1.26–2.63, p = 0.001). Our results suggest that genetically defined high-risk individuals for alcohol consumption are more common in the psoriasis population.

Clinical considerations for the management of psoriasis in women.

The burden of psoriasis is particularly high for women, who report lower levels of happiness (women: 18.5%; men: 11.3% lower vs. general population) and are more likely to experience stress (women: > 60%; men: 42%), loneliness (women: 25-28%; men: 19-24%), stigmatization (Feelings of Stigmatization Questionnaire score; women: 93.2; men: 78.0), and reduced sexual activity (women: 33%; men: 19%) compared with men. The onset of psoriasis is bimodal, with one incidence peak (15-30 years) that coincides with the prime reproductive age for women, which poses specific challenges for their treatment. However, well-established guidelines for the treatment of women of childbearing age are lacking. Many women experience stabilization (21%) or improvement (55%) of their skin during pregnancy, but up to a quarter can experience disease worsening, and postpartum flares are common (> 50%). Therefore, balancing the risk of treatment with the risk of uncontrolled disease is important. Because half of pregnancies are unplanned, the implications of therapeutic options must be considered for all women with psoriasis who are sexually active, irrespective of intentions to start a family. Timely initiation of these discussions by health care professionals is paramount to prevent unintentional toxicity to the developing fetus. For example, acitretin, methotrexate, and oral psoralen/ultraviolet A are all contraindicated in pregnancy. Reassuringly, safety data for other psoriasis treatments during pregnancy are increasingly available, particularly for anti-tumor necrosis factor therapies. Despite encouraging data from pregnancy exposure registries and clinical studies now being included in anti-tumor necrosis factor drug labels, comfort with prescribing these therapies to pregnant women remains low (U.S. dermatologists: 21%; EU-5 dermatologists: 10%). In this article, we review issues specific to treating women of childbearing age with psoriasis and highlight the need for treatment guidelines to ensure consistent care and optimal outcomes for these patients.

Hypertension is associated with increased age at the onset of psoriasis and a higher body mass index in psoriatic disease.

High blood pressure (HBP) is a common comorbidity in psoriatic disease. Some studies indicate a higher prevalence of HBP among arthritis patients, in relation to psoriasis alone, within the psoriatic spectrum. Our objective was to study the prevalence of HBP in both types of patients as well as to analyse the factors associated with it. A cross-sectional observational study of 600 patients with psoriatic disease attended in a multidisciplinary clinic of a reference centre. We first analysed the frequency of this comorbidity and then the factors associated with it using conditional logistic regression. The significant factors in this first model were introduced in a multivariate model using a backward step approach. A total of 144 patients were hypertensive (24%). Of patients with arthritis, 86/290 (29.7%) had HBP, compared with 58/310 (18.7%) with psoriasis (OR 1.7 95%, CI 1.25-2.50, p = 0.003). Hypertension was independently associated with higher age at onset of psoriasis (OR 1.04, 95%CI 1.03-1.06, p < 0.001) and a higher body mass index (OR 1.13, 95%CI, 1.06-1.22, p < 0.001). HBP is more prevalent in patients with arthritis within the spectrum of psoriatic disease. Patients with a higher body mass index and those with later-onset psoriasis are more prone to this comorbidity. • The factors of psoriatic disease associated with HBP are little known. • HBP is more prevalent in patients with arthritis within the spectrum of psoriatic disease. • In patients with psoriatic disease, for each point of increase in the body mass index, the risk of HBP increases by 13%. • For each year of onset of psoriasis above 40years, the risk of HBP increases by 4%.

A prospective multicenter study assessing effectiveness and safety of secukinumab in a real-life setting in 158 patients

Secukinumab is a first-in-class interleukin 17A monoclonal antibody that has demonstrated an excellent safety and efficacy profile in phase 3 studies. To evaluate the effectiveness of secukinumab in daily clinical practice and to understand the clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of patients treated with secukinumab in clinical settings. In this multicenter prospective observational study, we recruited adult patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis from 12 hospitals in Spain during January-December 2016. These patients were treated with secukinumab and prospectively followed at 12-week intervals for 52weeks. In total, 158 patients were recruited to the study. A Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score improvement ≥75% over baseline (PASI-75) was achieved by 57%, 83.5%, 89%, and 78.5% of patients at weeks 4, 12, 24, and 52, respectively. PASI-90 was achieved in 27.8%, 62%, 64.6%, and 63.2% of patients at weeks 4, 12, 24, and 52, respectively; PASI-75 and PASI-90 responders were significantly more common among patients with a body mass index <30kg/cm2 and patients without previous biologic therapy failures. Observational study. Time from onset of psoriasis was not evaluated. Secukinumab is a safe treatment with effectiveness rates similar to those found in its phase 3 studies. These rates endure up to a year from start of treatment.

Antistreptococcal interventions for guttate and chronic plaque psoriasis.

Antistreptococcal interventions for guttate and chronic plaque psoriasis.

Association between geographic tongue and psoriasis: A systematic review and meta‐analyses

Geographic tongue (GT) has been described as a predictor of psoriasis. The objective of this study was to analyse the prevalence of GT in psoriatic and non-psoriatic patients. For this purpose, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. A literature search was performed on PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. The search and selection process was performed according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) criteria. Only case-control studies were selected, and the prevalence of GT in both groups was compared. Eleven articles met the inclusion criteria, and the frequency of GT was statistically associated with psoriasis in ten studies. The pooled odds ratio (OR) was 3.53 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.56-4.86). There were no significant differences between the presence of GT and the clinical form. However, the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score was statistically higher in patients affected by GT in three of four studies. Psoriatic patients with GT also exhibited less improvement in the PASI score after treatment. One study found an association between GT and a negative impact on patients' quality of life. Nevertheless, age, gender, toxic habits, psoriasis onset and duration of the disease were not clearly associated. The results support the concept of GT as a manifestation of psoriasis. Future research should focus on the repercussions of GT in psoriatic patients, due to the negative consequences on severity and treatment response.

Fine mapping and subphenotyping implicates ADRA1B gene variants in psoriasis susceptibility in a Chinese population.

A genomic region on 5q33.3 lies between and encompasses the IL12B and PTTG1 genes, and contains many potential psoriasis causal variants. We aimed to further examine the influence of variants in and around this region. We used least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO)-based regression analysis to assess independent contributions of 2171 variants to psoriasis susceptibility and tested them for association with different clinical psoriasis subtypes. We found that ADRA1B gene variants contribute to psoriasis in Chinese population. ADRA1B gene variants have a stronger association with moderate-to-severe disease group and an earlier age at onset of psoriasis than IL-12B and PTTG1 variants. The association of variants in the ADRA1B gene with psoriasis could explain why variants in the IL-12B, ADRA1B and PTTG1 gene regions are associated with psoriasis.

Epigenome-wide analysis of sperm cells identifies IL22 as a possible germ line risk locus for psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriasis and its associated inflammatory arthritis, psoriatic arthritis (PsA), have a clear heritable component, but a large proportion of the heritable risk remains unexplained by gene sequence variation. This study aimed to determine if epigenetic factors contribute to the missing heritability in psoriatic disease. DNA methylation profiling was performed on sperm cells from 23 probands with psoriasis without PsA (PsC), 13 PsA probands, and 18 unaffected controls. Differentially methylated CpGs and regions (DMRs) were identified and validated by pyrosequencing. Underlying AluY and copy number variation (CNV) in the HCG26 and IL22 genes, respectively, were assessed by genotyping. Array, subject’s age, age of psoriasis onset, psoriasis severity, and medication usage were found to influence methylation at many genes and were included as covariates in the analysis. Between PsC probands vs. controls, 169 DMRs were found; 754 DMRs were found between PsA probands vs. controls, and 86 between PsA and PsC probands (adjusted p<0.05). Differences in methylation across DMRs were generally subtle (<10%) but correlated well with pyrosequencing. Biological inference prioritized notable DMRs associated with skin disease (SIGLEC14, JAM3, PCOLCE, RXRB), skin and/or joint disease (MBP, OSBPL5, SNORD115, HCG26), and joint disease (IL22, ELF5, PPP2R2D, PTPRN2, HCG26). Hypermethylation of the DMR within the first exon of arthritis-associated IL22 showed significant correlation (rho = 0.34, 95% CI 0.06–0.57, p = 0.01) between paired sperm and blood samples, independent of a CNV within the same region. Further studies are needed to rule out underlying genetic causes and determine if these represent heritable, constitutional epimutations, or are the result of exposure of germ cells to endogenous or exogenous environmental factors.

Psoriasis and metabolic and cardiovascular comorbidities in children: A systematic review

IntroductionPsoriasis is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular and/or metabolic comorbidity in adults, but discordant data have been reported in children. ObjectiveTo evaluate the frequency of metabolic and cardiovascular comorbidity in children with psoriasis and to establish whether age at onset of psoriasis correlates with metabolic and cardiovascular comorbidity in adulthood. Material and methodsWe conducted a systematic review on MEDLINE, using PubMed and Ovid. The search was limited to children (<18 years). The following key words were used: “psoriasis” with “children or childhood or adolescent” and “obesity” or “hypertension” or “diabetes” or “dyslipidemia” or “cardiovascular risk factor” or “myocardial infarction” or “stroke” or “coronaropathy” or “comorbidity”. The reference lists of the articles retrieved were checked for additional relevant studies. ResultsA total of 377 potential citations were analyzed. After removing duplicate articles and reviewing eligibility in titles and abstracts, 16 articles remained. The studies analyzed revealed significantly higher risk of overweight and obesity in children with psoriasis, despite the numerous definitions used. Four studies reported higher risk of abdominal obesity in children with psoriasis. Data on hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and major cardiovascular events suggested there was no higher risk of these comorbidities in children with psoriasis. Two studies suggested that age at onset of psoriasis did not increase the frequency of comorbidity in adulthood. ConclusionThis systematic review suggests that psoriasis in children is not associated with metabolic and cardiovascular comorbidities, except overweight and obesity, for which higher prevalence is clearly demonstrated in the literature.