Women With Psoriasis at Increased Risk of Diabetes, High Blood Pressure

Psoriasis, the disorder which affects millions of Americans and causes chronic inflammation of the skin, leaves women at higher risk of developing life-threatening diabetes and high blood pressure, new medical research says.

Recently, the makers of the popular psoriasis drug, Raptiva, pulled the product from the market after it was linked to cases of a deadly brain infection called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). PML is a rare but most often deadly viral disease that commonly appears in people who are undergoing chronic corticosteroid or immunosuppressive therapy, have had an organ transplant, or have lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, sarcoidosis, or other cancers. PML also is more common in people with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

The Food and Drug Administration also recently issued a public warning about the increased risk of PML in people taking Raptiva for treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis. Drugs such as Raptiva that lower the body’s immune system to reduce symptoms of psoriasis may allow deadly infections such as PML to take hold.

Research of Psoriasis Link to Diabetes

Researchers examined data from thousands of American women who have been part of a long-term health study since 1991. Of the group, 1,813 women were diagnosed with psoriasis, and further analysis showed the women were 63 percent more likely to develop diabetes and 17 percent more likely to suffer from hypertension compared to women who did not have psoriasis.

The increase in risk was the same for the women, regardless of their age, weight and other factors, such as whether they smoked, researchers said. Inflammation of the skin caused by psoriasis can lead to high blood pressure and may also cause insulin resistance that can lead to diabetes.

Millions Battle Psoriasis

As many as 7.5 million people in the United States have psoriasis, which causes thick, itchy red plaques to form on the skin. When the condition affects the skin on or around the legs, arms, or joints, it can greatly decrease movement and making walking very painful. People with psoriasis often develop arthritis, depression, and other medical problems.

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