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Clinical Summary

Psoriasis tied to increased risk for chronic fatigue syndrome

Takeaway

  • Psoriasis is significantly associated with increased risk for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), especially in men and older populations.
  • The increased risk is attenuated in patients who receive phototherapy or immunomodulatory drugs.

Why this matters

  • Previous studies reported that several immunological events, such as atopy, varicella-zoster virus reactivation, and inflammatory bowel disease may significantly increase the risk of CFS in the general population.

Study design

  • This study included 2616 patients with newly diagnosed psoriasis during 2004–2008 and 10,464 participants without psoriasis.
  • Funding: Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare Clinical Trial Center and others.

Key results

  • After adjustment for confounders, psoriasis group had higher incidence density rates compared with non-psoriasis group (3.58 vs 2.27 per 1000 person-years; adjusted HR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.07-2.06; P<.05).
  • In the stratified analysis, men (HR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.31-3.20) and older patients with psoriasis (aged ≥ 60 years; HR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.33-4.06) had a higher risk of developing CFS vs those without psoriasis (P<.01 for both).
  • Patients with mild psoriasis were significantly at increased risk for CFS vs those without psoriasis (HR, 1.46; 95% CI, 0.83-3.03; P<.05).
  • This significantly increased risk for CFS among patients with psoriasis was reduced after they received phototherapy and/or immunomodulatory drugs.

Limitations

  • Study did not consider complications of both psoriasis and CFS and their severity.

References


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