Diabetes, mood disorders prevalent in plaque palmoplantar psoriasis

Several comorbidities associated with psoriasis vulgaris are also prevalent in patients with plaque palmoplantar psoriasis (PPP), a recent study has found. In addition, individuals with PPP have a particularly high risk for mood disorders.

To examine the association between PPP and comorbidities known to be associated with generalized plaque psoriasis, the authors retrospectively compared the prevalence of comorbidities previously found to be associated with generalized plaque psoriasis among 163 patients with PPP who had been treated with topical psoralen and ultraviolet A from 2009 to 2017 and a cohort of 781 controls.

Each patient with psoriasis was matched according to sex and age with up to five controls. Associations were assessed after matching using conditional logistic regression.

The following comorbidities significantly correlated with PPP: diabetes mellitus (odds ratio [OR], 2.296), cardiovascular disease (OR, 1.797), and mood disorders (OR, 6.232). Furthermore, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and psoriatic arthritis were more frequent among patients with PPP, but such associations were not statistically significant.

This study was limited by its retrospective nature, the collection of some data through a survey questionnaire, and the relatively small sample size, which suggested the need to validate the present data in a prospective manner, according to the authors

“Additionally, within the psoriasis group, patients were assessed for the presence of comorbidities during the whole follow-up period, whereas the comorbidities of individuals in the control group were assessed during a baseline visit,” they added.

“Psoriasis has been shown to be associated with several comorbidities,” the authors noted.