Obesity and psoriasis: From the Medical Board of the National Psoriasis Foundation

An association between obesity and psoriasis has been reported. For a variety of reasons, obese persons with psoriasis are often more difficult to treat. We sought to review the literature on obesity and psoriasis and to discuss efficacy and safety data that could be utilized by clinicians who are making treatment decisions for obese persons with psoriasis. We performed a literature review using the terms “obesity and psoriasis” and “metabolic syndrome and psoriasis.” Evidence from relevant literature was evaluated and categorized according to the criteria of Shekelle et al (published 1999). Numerous reports cite an association between obesity and psoriasis. When compared with non-obese patients with psoriasis, obese patients with psoriasis are more likely to experience certain adverse effects to medications and are less likely to respond favorably to systemic therapies. The amount of category I evidence for objectively determining the best treatment choices for obese patients with psoriasis was scarce and thus did not allow for the development of a treatment algorithm that could be generally applied for all psoriasis patients who are obese. Efficacy and safety concerns affected by obesity are important considerations for clinicians who are making decisions on proper treatment of psoriasis.