"Metabolic Syndrome Increases the Risk of Developing Psoriasis"

Seoul St. Mary's Hospital Dermatology Professor Lee Ji-hyun's Team
Study on the Association Between Metabolic Syndrome and Psoriasis
4-Year Follow-Up and Analysis of 5.64 Million Subjects Using National Health Insurance Big Data
Psoriasis Risk Increases 1.11 Times with Persistent Metabolic Syndrome Diagnosis Over 4 Years

Professor Lee Ji-hyun, Department of Dermatology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] A study has found that the risk of developing psoriasis increases in individuals with metabolic syndrome, often referred to as the "root of all diseases."

Professor Lee Ji-hyun (corresponding author) from the Department of Dermatology at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, and Clinical Instructor Lee Hyun-ji (first author) from the Department of Dermatology at Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, along with their research team, analyzed the correlation between metabolic syndrome and the risk of developing psoriasis. They announced on the 7th that the risk of psoriasis increases in cases where metabolic syndrome newly develops or persists.

Higher Risk of Psoriasis in Groups Diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome

The research team analyzed data from 5,644,324 adults who underwent health checkups between 2009 and 2012, based on the National Health Insurance Service data. They divided the subjects into four groups: ▲No metabolic syndrome group ▲Pre-diagnosis metabolic syndrome group ▲Post-diagnosis metabolic syndrome group ▲Persistent metabolic syndrome group.

The results showed that compared to the group without metabolic syndrome, the post-diagnosis metabolic syndrome group had a 1.08 times higher risk of developing psoriasis, and the persistent metabolic syndrome group had a 1.11 times increased risk.

Metabolic syndrome refers to having three or more of the following risk factors that increase the likelihood of diabetes or cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases: hypertension, high blood sugar, hypertriglyceridemia, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and central obesity.

Psoriasis is a representative chronic inflammatory skin disease. Although several recent studies have reported a link between metabolic syndrome and psoriasis, the relationship between changes in metabolic syndrome and the onset of psoriasis remains unclear. The research team explained, "This study is significant in that it used National Health Insurance Service data to clarify the association between changes in components of metabolic syndrome and the incidence of psoriasis."

Psoriasis: Harder to Endure Due to Social Prejudice

Psoriasis, which has a global prevalence of about 3%, affects more than 160,000 people in South Korea. Many psoriasis patients suffer more from social prejudice than from the disease itself. As a chronic inflammatory skin condition, psoriasis symptoms appear on protruding areas such as the knees or elbows, showing red patches covered with scales. In severe cases, it can spread over the entire body. Since it often occurs on exposed areas and can be mistaken for a contagious disease, psoriasis patients frequently face difficulties in social life. Particularly, about half of the patients are in their 30s to 50s, a socially active age group, which inevitably leads to significant mental stress.

The exact cause of psoriasis is not fully understood, but it is known to occur due to abnormal immune system activity, where certain immune cells in the body become excessively activated. As a chronic disease, continuous treatment and management are necessary. Above all, early treatment is important not only to alleviate symptoms but also to prevent complications.

Psoriasis can be suspected when red patches appear without reason on the knees or elbows, noticeable scaling increases, the tips of fingernails become white and brittle, or fingernails and toenails split. When psoriasis occurs on the scalp, it is often mistaken for dandruff, and red skin can be confused with atopic dermatitis or contact dermatitis. Treatments for psoriasis include ointments, oral medications, phototherapy, and biologic agents.

Professor Lee Ji-hyun stated, "This study focused on changes in components of metabolic syndrome related to psoriasis risk, which will help better understand the association between psoriasis and metabolic syndrome. The risk of psoriasis was higher in patients with persistent or worsening metabolic syndrome compared to those without metabolic syndrome, so it is important for psoriasis patients to manage metabolic syndrome risk factors well."

The study results were recently published in the international journal Scientific Reports.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.