Obesity, physical trauma history may trigger PsA in psoriasis patients

Several lifestyle and environmental factors, including obesity and being overweight, predict the onset of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) among patients with psoriasis, indicating that such risk may be modified through lifestyle changes or avoidance of physical trauma, according to a study.

A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library was conducted through 2 May 2020 to investigate the association of modifiable lifestyle and environmental factors with PsA risk among patients with psoriasis.

Observational studies reporting lifestyle or environmental factors for PsA onset in psoriatic patients were identified. The investigators used a random-effects model to estimate pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95 percent confidence intervals (CIs).

Sixteen studies comprising 322,967 individuals were included in the meta-analysis. Obesity and being overweight were found to correlate with an elevated risk of PsA in patients with psoriasis (obesity: OR, 1.75, 95 percent CI, 1.42–2.16; overweight: OR, 1.50, 95 percent CI, 1.08–2.09). A history of physical trauma (OR, 1.33, 95 percent CI, 1.16–1.54) or fracture (OR, 1.46, 95 percent CI, 1.22–1.74) also correlated with PsA presence.

No significant associations were seen for the following factors: alcohol consumption (OR, 0.99, 95 percent CI, 0.88–1.13), smoking (OR, 0.89, 95 percent CI, 0.75–1.06), female hormonal exposure (OR, 1.45, 95 percent CI, 0.95–2.20), and psychologically traumatic events.

Inherent limitations were reported in the included observational studies.

“PsA is a progressive joint disease associated with psoriasis,” the investigators said.