Obese teens 'at increased risk of psoriatic arthritis'

Washington, July 20 (ANI): Young adults with psoriasis are at in increased risk of developing psoriatic arthritis if they are obese, says a new study.

The study conducted by Razieh Soltani-Arabshahi, M.D., of the University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, and colleagues, found that body mass index (BMI) at age 18 was predictive of psoriatic arthritis.

Young age, being female and having larger body surface areas affected with psoriasis are other factors that contribute to the disorder.

Additionally, the findings show "the obese group having an earlier onset of psoriatic arthritis, followed by the overweight group and finally the normal BMI group."

"To determine which patients with psoriasis are at greatest risk of developing psoriatic arthritis, it is essential that risk factors be identified using robust epidemiologic approaches," write Alexis Ogdie, M.D., and Joel M. Gelfand, M.D., M.S.C.E, of the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, in an accompanying editorial.

"Ultimately, identification of risk factors for psoriatic arthritis holds the promise of improving our ability to diagnose this condition and prevent it through risk-factor modification," they add.

The study is published in the July 19 issue of Archives of Dermatology. (ANI)