Psoriasis and Obesity
Reported December 16, 2008
(Ivanhoe Newswire) — Patients with psoriasis may have higher levels of an obesity-related hormone.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that results in a red, scaly rash. Associations have been made between psoriasis and obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome. A new study done by researchers at Taichung General Hospital and National Chung Hsing University in Taiwan provides new insight into the obesity and psoriasis link.
Researchers studied 77 patients with psoriasis and 81 individuals who were the same age and sex but did not have psoriasis. Patients with psoriasis were found to have higher levels of leptin, a hormone produced by fat cells that may contribute to obesity, than individuals who did not have psoriasis.
Study authors point out high circulating leptin levels in individuals with psoriasis may derive not only from fat tissue but also from inflammation. The also added there are measures that can be taken to reduce leptin levels. Body weight loss has been reported to significantly decrease leptin levels and improve insulin sensitivity and may reduce the likelihood of developing metabolic syndrome and adverse cardiovascular diseases, study authors were quoted as saying.
SOURCE: Archives of Dermatology, 2008;144:1571-1575