Diabetes, heart failure, obesity... are these conditions more prevalent in patients suffering from psoriasis?

The psoriasis is an inflammatory disease. As a result, the immune system of psoriasis patients does not function normally. Health problems related to the immune system increase and promote certain diseases.

• Psoriasis and Diabetes.

  Individuals with psoriasis are likely to develop type 2 diabetes. This disease is characterised by an insufficient production of insulin, leading to hyperglycaemia. A study has shown that psoriasis increases the risk of diabetes by 59%. In the case of severe forms, this increase can go up to 97%. Psoriasis is linked to inflammation in the body. It triggers an inflammatory response in tissues, particularly in fat storage cells. This can lead to insulin resistance in the liver and muscles, resulting in a failure of insulin action. This consequently leads to the onset of type 2 diabetes.

• Psoriasis and Cardiovascular Diseases.

  Cardiovascular diseases associated with psoriasis are notably caused by the treatment followed. MACE is the acronym that refers to the risk of heart attack (myocardial infarction), stroke (cerebrovascular accident), and cardiovascular death. Researchers note that certain interleukin inhibitors increase the risk of MACE. These notably include IL-12 and IL-23. However, their mode of action on the onset of cardiovascular diseases is not yet understood. Furthermore, the ciclosporin, an immunosuppressant, is likely to damage cardiac muscle tissues, although its mode of action is not yet well understood.

• Psoriasis and Obesity.

  The risk of obesity increases in individuals suffering from psoriasis. This condition, a source of embarrassment, discomfort, and self-consciousness, has numerous consequences on a person's morale and psychological state. Those affected are at a higher risk of social isolation and poor dietary habits, which promotes obesity. Indeed, a study has shown that patients with psoriasis consume significantly more fats andalcohol compared to individuals without psoriasis.

• Psoriasis and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

  Inflammatory bowel diseases are conditions characterised by inflammation of the digestive tract. The risk of developing inflammatory bowel diseases in individuals with psoriasis is four times higher than in healthy individuals. Moreover, psoriasis promotes the onset of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. These are inflammatory bowel diseases characterised by diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and a feeling of fatigue. However, the link between the onset of these diseases and psoriasis is not yet clear.

• Psoriasis and depression.

  During psoriasis, changes in blood levels have been observed, particularly an increase in cytokines IL-12, IL-1α, IL-2 and IL-6. These cytokines play a role in the onset of depression symptoms by influencing the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which regulates the stress response. Prolonged activation of this axis can lead to an excessive production of cortisol, a stress hormone, which can disrupt emotional balance and lead to depression.

• Psoriasis and cancer.

  Researchers have found that the risk rate of cancer development in individuals with psoriasis is 1.18 times higher than that of healthy individuals. However, this risk can vary depending on the severity of the psoriasis. Individuals with severe psoriasis have a 1.22 times higher risk of developing cancer compared to a population without psoriasis. This can be explained by treatments involving immunomodulators that weaken the immune system. This results in a reduction in the body's ability to detect and eliminate cancerous cells, thereby promoting their multiplication.