Higher body mass index (BMI) seems to be associated with an increased risk for developing psoriasis, according to a study published online June 9 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Alexandra Norden, from the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell in New Hyde Park, New York, and colleagues compared the incidence of psoriasis among patients stratified by BMI category in a retrospective cohort analysis of more than 1.5 million patients in the United States between Jan. 1, 2008, and Sept. 9, 2019.

The researchers found that among normal or underweight, overweight, obese class 1, and obese class 2/3 patients, the crude incidence of psoriasis per 10,000 person-years was 9.5, 11.9, 14.2, and 17.4, respectively. A significantly increased risk for developing psoriasis was seen for those who were overweight, obese class 1, and obese class 2/3 compared with those with BMI <25.0 kg/m² (adjusted hazard ratios, 1.19, 1.34, and 1.83, respectively).

"This analysis may support counseling efforts for patients at risk for psoriasis, such as those with family history," the authors write. "These observations may also support mechanistic research on the relationship between obesity and psoriasis, as well as evaluation of the role of weight loss in the management of psoriasis."

One author disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry.

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