Katharina Buczek
Additionally, severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis were strongly associated with stress. Men diagnosed with stress and low resilience were 79% more likely to develop psoriasis than those with high resilience.
Men in the low resilience group who experienced stress were also 53% more likely to develop psoriatic arthritis, a type of arthritis that affects people who have psoriasis. The primary symptoms are joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, and can impact any body part – including the spine and fingertips.
The team highlighted how this research serves as the first study to connect stress sensitivity to the onset of psoriasis. They also suggested that inflammation may be a key factor at play, as previous research has demonstrated that stress frequently triggers an increased inflammatory response.
“We have shown that lower stress resilience in adolescence is a potential risk factor for psoriasis, at least for men. Our results suggest that those with psoriasis have a hereditary psychological sensitivity. It is, therefore, important that healthcare professionals also pay attention to the mental well-being of patients with psoriasis,” explained Marta Laskowski, the study’s lead author.
However, there were some limitations to this study. Mainly, the team’s observations only reflect a single point in an individual’s life. Additionally, other factors, such as smoking, can also increase a person’s risk of developing psoriasis.
“Stress resilience can vary throughout life. However, we have not had the opportunity to investigate these changes,” Laskowski concluded.
To read the study’s complete findings, which have since been published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology, visit the link here.
