World Psoriasis Day: Top Healio stories highlight challenges of disease

Key takeaways:

• This year’s top psoriasis-related story highlights the impact of early life nutrition on psoriasis risk.
• Many headlines surrounding comorbidities also dominated headlines.

Around the world, approximately 125 million people suffer from psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. On Oct. 29, World Psoriasis Day, we recognize the challenges of and treatment advances for patients with psoriasis.

To raise awareness, Healio compiled a list of the top news in psoriasis this year.

Early life nutrition could impact psoriasis risk

This year, a Swedish study found that subjects who were fed formula as infants had a higher risk for developing psoriasis compared with those who were breastfed for at least the first 4 months of life. Read more.

Oral roflumilast treatment may induce weight loss in patients with psoriasis

Treating psoriasis with oral roflumilast may induce weight loss, positioning the drug as a potentially attractive alternative for patients with psoriasis, according to a study. Read more.

Stress may be associated with increased risk of psoriasis among men

Low stress resilience in men may be linked to an increased risk for developing psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, according to a study. Study investigator Marta Laskowski, MD, PhD, of the department of dermatology and venereology at the University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, discussed the significance of these results. Also, Joel M. Gelfand, MD, MSCE, James J. Leyden Professor of Dermatology & Epidemiology at Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Healio Dermatology Chief Medical Editor, weighed in with his Perspective. Read more.

Treatment advancements merit updates to dermatological disqualifiers in the military

Due to medical advancements, researchers are calling for an update to the U.S. Department of Defense’s policies restricting individuals with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis from joining and remaining in the military, according to a study. Dermatologists and military members offered their expertise. Read more.

Patients with psoriasis more likely to have obsessive-compulsive disorder

A new study further confirmed the association between obsessive-compulsive disorder and psoriasis, stressing the need for dermatologists to be vigilant. Jeffrey M. Cohen, MD, director of the Psoriasis Treatment Program, director of the safety department of dermatology and assistant professor of dermatology and biomedical informatics and data science at Yale School of Medicine, discussed the study findings with Healio. Read more.

Q&A: Physician responds to Kim Kardashian using tanning booth to help psoriasis

In the beginning of the year, Kim Kardashian released a viral video flaunting her personal tanning bed built into her home. After garnering negative attention from the public and dermatologists alike, the star justified her purchase saying she uses it to help her psoriasis. Azza Halim, MD, a board certified, multi-specialist physician with a focus in aesthetic and regenerative medicine, spoke to Healio about the dangers of using tanning beds as a therapy for psoriasis. Read more.

Phase 3 data show Tremfya improves scalp psoriasis in patients with skin of color

Patients with skin of color that suffer from scalp psoriasis saw significant improvement in their disease severity, scalp itch and quality of life outcomes when treated with Tremfya, according to newly released phase 3 results. Read more.

Treating psoriasis with biologics does not negatively affect COVID antibody production

The use of biologics to treat psoriasis does not affect antibody production after a patient has had a COVID infection or vaccination, according to a study. Read more.

Suicidal ideation, behavior rate low in psoriasis patients treated with bimekizumab

The long-term adjudicated suicidal ideation and behavior rate in patients with psoriasis treated with bimekizumab was low and within general psoriasis population ranges, according to a study. Read more.

LITE: Home-based phototherapy as effective as office-based UVB treatment for psoriasis

In a real-world setting, treatment with home-based phototherapy was noninferior to office phototherapy for people with plaque or guttate psoriasis, with both options safe and efficacious, according to a presentation at the American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting. Read more.

Reference:

• World Psoriasis Day 2024. https://www.psoriasis.org/world-psoriasis-day/. Accessed Oct. 28, 2024.