Abstract
Although psoriasis has been associated with obesity, there are few prospective studies with objective measures.
We prospectively examined the effect of body mass index, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, and
10-year weight change on the risk of developing psoriasis among 33,734 people in the population-based NordTrøndelag
Health Study (i.e., HUNT), Norway. During follow-up, 369 incident psoriasis cases occurred. Relative
risk (RR) of psoriasis was estimated by Cox regression. One standard deviation higher body mass index, waist
circumference, and waist-hip ratio gave RRs of 1.22 (95% confidence interval [CI] ¼ 1.11e1.34), 1.26 (95% CI ¼
1.15e1.39), and 1.18 (95% CI ¼ 1.07e1.31), respectively. Compared with normal weight participants, obese
people had an RR of 1.87 (95% CI ¼ 1.38e2.52), whereas comparing the fourth with the first quartile of waist
circumference gave an RR of 1.95 (95% CI ¼ 1.46e2.61). One standard deviation higher weight change gave an
RR of 1.20 (95% CI ¼ 1.07e1.35), and people who increased their body weight by 10 kg or more had an RR of 1.72
(95% CI ¼ 1.15e2.58) compared with being weight stable. In conclusion, obesity and high abdominal fat mass
doubles the risk of psoriasis, and long-term weight gain substantially increases psoriasis risk. Preventing weight
gain and promoting maintenance of a normal body weight could reduce incidence of psoriasis.
We prospectively examined the effect of body mass index, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, and
10-year weight change on the risk of developing psoriasis among 33,734 people in the population-based NordTrøndelag
Health Study (i.e., HUNT), Norway. During follow-up, 369 incident psoriasis cases occurred. Relative
risk (RR) of psoriasis was estimated by Cox regression. One standard deviation higher body mass index, waist
circumference, and waist-hip ratio gave RRs of 1.22 (95% confidence interval [CI] ¼ 1.11e1.34), 1.26 (95% CI ¼
1.15e1.39), and 1.18 (95% CI ¼ 1.07e1.31), respectively. Compared with normal weight participants, obese
people had an RR of 1.87 (95% CI ¼ 1.38e2.52), whereas comparing the fourth with the first quartile of waist
circumference gave an RR of 1.95 (95% CI ¼ 1.46e2.61). One standard deviation higher weight change gave an
RR of 1.20 (95% CI ¼ 1.07e1.35), and people who increased their body weight by 10 kg or more had an RR of 1.72
(95% CI ¼ 1.15e2.58) compared with being weight stable. In conclusion, obesity and high abdominal fat mass
doubles the risk of psoriasis, and long-term weight gain substantially increases psoriasis risk. Preventing weight
gain and promoting maintenance of a normal body weight could reduce incidence of psoriasis.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 2484 - 2490 |
| Journal | Journal of Investigative Dermatology |
| Volume | 137 |
| Issue number | 12 |
| Early online date | 2 Aug 2017 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Nov 2017 |
Keywords
- OBESITY
- PSORIASIS
- HUNT Study
