Increased BMI Is a Risk Factor for PsA in Psoriasis Patients

Weight loss may significantly reduce the risk of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in psoriasis patients, according to a study. 

The goal of the study was to identify modifiable risk factors for PsA development in patients with psoriasis. To do this, researchers reviewed incident cases of psoriasis diagnosed between 1998 and 2014 from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink. They assessed the association between baseline disease severity, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and body mass index (BMI) with PsA development. 

Open source review Assessing Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis: A Literature Review by Drs Tucker, Coates, Helliwell. How to assess arthritis, dactylitis, enthesitis, axial disease, skin & patient measures (PROMs). https://t.co/5SLwpeGbkn

— Dr. John Cush (@RheumNow) December 3, 2018

There were 90,189 incident psoriasis cases (mean age, 51 years; 42 percent were male); 1,409 patients later developed PsA. Compared to patients with a BMI <25.0, PsA risk was significantly greater in patients with BMIs of 25.0-29.9 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.79, confidence interval [CI] 95% 1.46 – 2.19), 30.0-34.9 (AOR 2.10, CI 1.67 – 2.63), and ≥35.0 (AOR 2.68, CI2.09 – 3.43). Patients with severe psoriasis were also more likely to develop PsA (AOR 3.40, CI 2.83 – 4.08). Researchers also compared the risk of PsA in non-drinkers to that of ex-drinkers (AOR 1.13, CI 0.7275 – 1.7047), current drinkers (AOR 1.46, CI1.08 – 1.97) and heavy drinkers (AOR 0.77, CI 0.46 – 1.29). PsA risk was not significantly greater in former smokers (AOR 0.95, CI 0.78 – 1.15) or current smokers (AOR 0.87, CI 0.70 – 1.07) than non-smokers. 

2018 ACR/NPF Guideline for the Treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis features new clinical practice recommendations related to the management of active psoriatic arthritis in adults, using pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies – details: https://t.co/PnVZhqm1Ul pic.twitter.com/vJVyJEejiJ

— American College of Rheumatology (@ACRheum) December 4, 2018

Researchers also found that reducing BMI may decrease PsA risk. 

“For example, reducing BMI over a 10-year period (linearly) was associated with a reduction in the risk of developing PsA when compared to BMI remaining constant over the same period,” the study authors stated. 

#Overweight and #obese #psoriasis patients have it within their power to reduce their risk of developing #psoriaticarthritis through #weightloss, according to a large British longitudinal study. What else did the study show? https://t.co/D7QpNPOXUw #Psoriasis #Obesity

— Family Practice News (@FamilyPracNews) December 4, 2018

The study’s findings were presented at the American College of Rheumatology’s annual meeting. 

The researchers wrote, “As PsA affects around 20% of people with psoriasis, weight reduction amongst those who are obese may have the potential to greatly reduce their risk of PsA in addition to providing additional health benefits.” 

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Source: 2018 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting abstracts