Page 20 - Florida Sentinel 2-26-21

Health
Psoriatic Arthritis
According to a study published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, nearly 1 out of 10 psoriasis patients had undiagnosed psoriatic arthritis. A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology put the number of undiagnosed patients even higher, at 15.5 per-
cent, or roughly one out of six people.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Depression
Heart Disease
A review published in the International Journal of Car- diology found that people with psoriasis have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Chronic inflammation has long been associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. That's because in-
of all people with psoriasis say the disease greatly affects their emotional well-being.
A review published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology from the Nurses’ Health Study II also found that women who are de- pressed are about one-and-a-half times more likely to de- velop psoriasis, suggesting a more complicated dynamic between the conditions.
Many people with psoriasis de- velop psoriatic arthritis. The more severe your psoriasis, the more likely you are to get psoriatic arthritis.
The challenge is identifying this psoriasis complication early on, to gain better control of the arthritis before it damages the joints or causes permanent disability.
Depression as a pso- riasis complication could arise from quality of life issues relating to body image concerns and physical discom- fort. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, 63 percent
flammation can damage arteries.
If you have psoriasis, it’s important to monitor your
heart health and take steps, such as following a healthy diet and exercise program, to protect against cardiovascu- lar disease.
The inflammation associated with psoriasis can affect the lungs and raise the risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a group of lung conditions or dis- eases that block airflow and make breathing difficult.
A study published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venere- ology concluded that psoriasis patients were at a greater risk of developing COPD. And while a review published in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment provides evidence supporting the increased risk of COPD in people with psoriasis, the underlying reasons for the connection remains unclear.
People with psoriasis should avoid COPD risk factors, such as smoking and lung irri- tants like air pollution, chemical fumes, and dust. Doctors should test at-risk patients early for reduced lung function.
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