Metabolic changes and serum ghrelin level in patients with psoriasis

Patterns of Addiction in Chronic Skin Diseases: A Comparative Analysis of Addictions and Influencing Factors in Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis

Addictions seem to be more frequent in atopic dermatitis and psoriasis patients than in the general population. This cross-sectional observational study comparatively evaluated substance-related and behavioural addictions in atopic dermatitis and psoriasis patients and analysed possible addiction patterns. From October 2023 to April 2024, 100 atopic dermatitis and 104 psoriasis patients at a German university hospital completed an anonymous questionnaire, including sociodemographic and health-related parameters, along with validated assessment tools for common addictions (smoking, gambling, alcohol, drugs, food, and internet). More psoriasis patients had at least 1 addiction (50.0% vs 39.0%), were more frequent daily smokers (34.6% vs 15.0%) and reported gambling more frequently than atopic dermatitis patients. No differences emerged regarding gambling addiction. Psoriasis patients showed higher body mass index, with 1.9% addicted to food. Atopic dermatitis patients were more vulnerable to pathological internet use (9.0% vs 2.9%). Low happiness was a risk factor for smoking in atopic dermatitis and for gambling and drug consumption in psoriasis patients. Low disease severity was associated with pathological alcohol in-take in psoriasis. Younger age emerged as a ubiquitous risk factor for drug consumption. Distinct addiction patterns in atopic dermatitis and psoriasis patients, influenced by age, happiness, and disease severity, should guide the development of education and screening strategies.

Metabolic Syndrome Screening and Nutritional Status of Patients with Psoriasis: A Scoping Review

Background: Patients with plaque psoriasis have an increased risk of metabolic syndrome. However, no studies have assessed the nutritional status or screening methods of this population. Aims: This review aimed to identify and summarise metabolic syndrome screening criteria and the tools/methods used in nutrition assessment in patients with plaque psoriasis. Data synthesis: PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid and Scopus were searched from inception to March 2023, following the Arkensey and O'Malley framework, to identify articles that report nutritional assessment methods/tools and metabolic screening criteria. Twenty-one studies were identified. Overall, these studies used four different screening criteria to define metabolic syndrome. Patients with psoriasis had a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome and had a poor nutritional status compared to controls. However, only anthropometric measures such as weight, height and waist circumference were employed to determine the nutritional status. Only two studies assessed the vitamin D status. Conclusions: Patients with psoriasis have a poor nutritional status, and they are at risk of nutrient deficiencies. However, these health aspects are not routinely assessed and may increase the risk of malnutrition among these patients. Therefore, additional assessments, such as body composition and dietary assessment, are needed to determine the nutritional status to provide a suitable intervention.

Serum ghrelin levels in patients with Behcet's disease

Introduction

Behcet’s disease (BD) is a chronic, relapsing, systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology.

Aim

To measure serum ghrelin levels in BD patients and healthy controls and to investigate its association with metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Material and methods

Thirty BD patients and 30 healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. Ghrelin levels were measured in blood samples using ELISA.

Results

The mean serum ghrelin level in BD patients (28.57 ±14.04) was significantly lower compared to healthy controls (40.72 ±23.21) (p = 0.01). The mean serum ghrelin level in BD patients who had MetS (24.18 ±12.73) was lower compared to BD patients who did not have MetS (30.77 ±14.45), but this difference was not significant (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Ghrelin levels were lower in BD patients compared to healthy controls. There was no association between reduced ghrelin levels and MetS; however, there was a negative correlation between ghrelin levels and disease activity.

The role of hormones in the pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris

Psoriasis vulgaris is a chronic, common skin disease, which affects the patient’s quality of life to the highest degree. Several exogenous factors and endogenous hormonal changes may act as triggers for psoriasis.

The skin possesses a true endocrine system, which is very important in multiple systemic diseases. A number of conditions are associated with psoriasis, and its severity can also be influenced by hormones. Even though the sex hormones and prolactin have a major role in psoriasis pathogenicity, there are a lot of other hormones which can influence the psoriasis clinical manifestations: glucocorticoids, epinephrine, thyroid hormones, and insulin.