Psoriasis - Resources

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Obesity, diabetes, and heart risks: Psoriasis has been linked to an increased risk of heart attack and cardiovascular disease. Patients with psoriasis are much more likely to have hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and other blood vessel diseases than people without psoriasis. These conditions are also related to inflammation, which may be why people with psoriasis are more likely to develop diabetes and high blood pressure than people without the condition. It is not yet known whether there are genetic links between psoriasis and some of these conditions. The connection may also have to do with shared risk factors, such as smoking and obesity. Patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis should be screened, and possibly treated, for cardiovascular risks.

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Complications of Erythrodermic and Pustular Psoriasis

Impaired Temperature Regulation. Erythrodermic psoriasis (in which psoriasis covers the entire skin) can cause abnormalities in the body's ability to regulate temperature.

Zumbusch Psoriasis. A combination of erythrodermic and pustular psoriasis causes a serious condition called Zumbusch psoriasis:

• The condition can develop abruptly.
• Symptoms can include fever, chills, weight loss, and muscle weakness.
• Patients may develop excessive fluid build-up, protein loss, and electrolyte imbalances. In such cases, hospitalization is required. Fluid and chemical balances must be restored and temperature stabilized as soon as possible.

Zumbusch psoriasis can be life threatening, particularly in the elderly. The condition is very rare in children and, if it occurs, tends to improve more quickly than in adults, possibly even without medication.

Review Date: 10/21/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).