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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Psoriasis affects 125 million people worldwide and its impact goes far beyond the skin — driving cardiovascular risk, metabolic dysfunction, and mental health challenges. During Psoriasis Action Month, a dermatologist is calling on clinicians to routinely screen for cardiometabolic conditions and mental health comorbidities. Advances in targeted biologics have also dramatically raised the bar for treatment outcomes.
Psoriasis affects 125 million people worldwide, and while its hallmark plaques are visible on the skin, the disease's reach goes much further. Chronic systemic inflammation links psoriasis to psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Psoriasis was formally recognized as an independent cardiovascular risk factor in 2006 — meaning the heart risk exists even after accounting for other metabolic factors.
Dermatologist Rebecca Dufner, MD, emphasizes that comprehensive psoriasis care means looking beyond the skin. She recommends that dermatologists monitor blood pressure, lipids, glucose, and body weight, while ensuring patients are connected to primary care for preventive screenings. Mental health, she notes, is often deprioritized during visits — but psycho-cognitive factors can impact quality of life more than disease severity itself.
Key Takeaways:
Why it matters: As psoriasis care evolves, the specialty is moving toward a whole-patient model — one where dermatologists play a key role in catching systemic risks early and coordinating care across disciplines.
