Health
Psoriasis patients at increased risk of developing other conditions
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted April 14, 2008
Those with psoriasis have a higher risk of cardiovascular and immune-related disorders, and physicians need to ensure that these patients receive appropriate screening and prevention, says a National Psoriasis Foundation review published online in February in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Researchers carried out this review because of the growing number of studies documenting that this patient population may have a higher risk of a wide array of other conditions such as heart disease, depression and some cancers. The authors are calling for these patients to reduce their risk factors and be vigilant for the signs of lymphoma, skin cancer or solid tumors.
"Following the recommended routine health screenings for cancers and avoiding high-risk behaviors that increase the risk of developing some cancers, such as smoking, alcohol abuse and intentional sun exposure, must be a high priority for psoriasis patients who may be at an increased risk for these potentially life-threatening diseases," said Alexa B. Kimball, MD, MPH, lead author and associate professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School in Boston.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/04/14/hlbf0414.htm.
