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Patients with psoriasis more insulin-resistant than healthy controls

Patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis with normal glucose tolerance had significantly reduced insulin sensitivity compared with healthy controls, which could be an increased risk for type 2 diabetes, according to recently published study results.

Researchers in Denmark conducted 3-hour hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamps in 16 patients with moderate-to-severe, untreated psoriasis and 16 matched control patients (mean age for all: 44 years) who had completed a 10-hour fast. Participants screened with undiagnosed diabetes or prediabetes were excluded. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and Dermatology Life Quality Index questionnaire were used to measure psoriasis severity.

Age, gender, BMI, body composition, physical activity, fasting plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin were similar between the two cohorts, according to the researchers. Continuous data were presented in means ± SEM with a psoriasis duration of 23 ± 3 years and PASI score of 12.7 ± 1.4.

Reduced insulin sensitivity was exhibited in the patients with psoriasis compared with the controls (median M-value: 4.5 mg/kg/min vs. 7.4 mg/kg/min). Plasma glucose concentrations, insulin, C-peptide and glucagon during the clamp did not differ between the cohorts, according to the researchers.

Disclosures: Gyldenløve reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.