People with Psoriasis At Risk for Other Medical Conditions

A new study by the National Psoriasis Foundation of 5,000 people with psoriasis reveals that people with psoriasis are at risk for developing other serious medical conditions, including heart disease, diabetes and obesity.

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation patient survey:

• Nearly 70 percent of people with psoriasis are overweight or obese.
• 33 percent have high blood pressure.
• 28 percent have another chronic, inflammatory disease such as lupus, Crohn's disease or multiple sclerosis.
• 24 percent have high cholesterol.
• 11 percent have diabetes.

"Psoriasis is a very serious condition that impacts the body well beyond the skin," said Mark Lebwohl, M.D., professor and chairman of dermatology at the Mount. Sinai School of Medicine and chair of the National Psoriasis Foundation Medical Board. "Like any patient with a chronic disease, people with psoriasis must see their doctor regularly and adopt a healthy lifestyle to lessen their risk of developing another serious disease."

Additionally, up to 30 percent of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis, which causes pain, swelling and stiffness around the joints. People with mild psoriasis are just as likely to develop psoriatic arthritis as those with moderate or severe forms of the disease.

The National Psoriasis Foundation urges people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis to work with their dermatologists to find an appropriate treatment regimen to help manage their disease. Learn more about this psoriasis survey from the National Psoriasis Foundation.