Patients with psoriasis have a higher risk of developing diabetes. The risk varies depending on the severity of psoriasis, the presence of additional health conditions and specific medications, according to the study findings published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Using data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, Meng-Sui Lee, MD, of Taipei City Hospital, and colleagues conducted a cohort study that involved 6,611 adults with psoriasis and 6,806 without the disease.
The researchers compared the two groups to evaluate the impact psoriasis severity, comorbidities and concomitant medications on type 2 diabetes risk.
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Psoriasis was independently associated with an increased risk of diabetes (severe: hazard ratio [HR], 2.06 [95% CI, 1.58-2.68] vs. mild: HR, 1.28 [95% CI, 1.05-1.55]), the researchers found.
Increasing age and pre-existing hypertension, dyslipidemia, Cushing disease, and the increased cumulative doses of thiazide and methotrexate were additional independent risk factors.
“This study showed that patients with psoriasis are at a moderately higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared with the risk in those without a history of psoriasis. The risk was modulated by the severity of psoriasis, comorbidities and concomitant medication, a trend that showed dose dependency,” the researchers wrote.
“Patients with psoriasis and their [healthcare providers] should be aware of the potential link with type 2 diabetes and concomitant medication.”
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant conflict of interest or financial disclosures.
