Psoriasis Increases Risk for Metabolic Syndrome

Psoriasis is associated with an increased risk for metabolic syndrome, according to a recent systematic review and meta-analysis.

Numerous previous studies have suggested that psoriasis is associated with the risk for metabolic syndrome. However, no meta-analysis assessing this potential relationship has been limited to studies that adjusted for confounders.
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For their analysis, the researchers evaluated data on 25,042 patients with psoriasis from 14 papers. Data were obtained via MEDLINE, Scopus, SciELO, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and LILACS from inception to January 2016.

A random effects model meta-analysis was conducted for studies that reported adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals. Subgroup analysis related to geographic location, diagnosis criteria, and risk of bias was also performed.

Results indicated that 31.4% of patients with psoriasis also had metabolic syndrome (OR, 1.42). The researchers noted that Middle Eastern studies from Israel, Turkey, and Lebanon (OR, 1.76) reported a higher risk for metabolic syndrome vs European studies from Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Denmark (OR, 1.40).

“Because of the increased risk for [metabolic syndrome], clinicians should consider screening patients with psoriasis for metabolic risk factors,” the researchers concluded.

—Christina Vogt

Reference:

Rodríguez-Zúñiga MJM, García-Perdomo HA. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between psoriasis and metabolic syndrome. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;77(4):657-666.e8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2017.04.1133.