Metabolic disorders in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriasis is one of the common complex disorders in Western world, affecting 2% to 3% of the population. Recent studies indicate that psoriasis is associated with an increased risk of comorbidity and mortality compared to the general population. It appears that patients with psoriasis have a higher prevalence of metabolic disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and hyperlipidemia, as well as a higher frequency of cigarette smoking. These concomitant diseases can complicate the treatment of psoriasis. Even though the etiology of these associations is elusive, physicians should be aware of them and take active steps to reduce the risk profiles of patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, in order to lessen mortality and comorbidity.