A recent prospective study has found that individuals with an elevated polysocial risk score have a higher risk of developing psoriasis. The study, conducted by researchers at the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, analyzed data from over 330,000 individuals in the UK Biobank database.
Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disorder that is associated with systemic inflammation and related comorbidities, such as psoriatic arthritis, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. It also has a significant negative impact on the quality of life. Various factors, including genetic factors, lifestyle, socioeconomic status, psychosocial factors, and environmental factors, contribute to the development and progression of psoriasis.
The study found that multiple social risks were independently associated with psoriasis. These social risks include social vulnerability and an unhealthy lifestyle. The researchers also found that these social risks interacted with genetic factors to further increase the risk of psoriasis.
To assess individual-level exposure to social determinants of health, the researchers created a novel polysocial risk score. This score combined six social determinants of health derived from three domains: socioeconomic status, psychosocial factors, and neighborhood and living environment. The polysocial risk score was then analyzed in relation to the risk of developing psoriasis.
The results showed that individuals with higher polysocial risk scores had a significantly higher risk of developing psoriasis compared to those with lower scores. Specifically, individuals with an intermediate polysocial risk score had a 20% higher risk, while those with a high polysocial risk score had a 53% higher risk.
Furthermore, the study found an additive interaction between polysocial risk score and genetic susceptibility. Individuals with high polysocial risk scores and unhealthier lifestyles had a 2.6-fold higher risk of developing psoriasis compared to those with lower polysocial risk scores and healthier lifestyles.
These findings suggest that addressing social determinants of health and promoting healthier lifestyles may be important in preventing and managing psoriasis. By understanding the impact of social risks on psoriasis development, healthcare providers can develop targeted interventions for individuals at higher risk.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is psoriasis?
A: Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disorder that causes red, scaly patches on the skin.
Q: What are the comorbidities associated with psoriasis?
A: Psoriasis is associated with comorbidities such as psoriatic arthritis, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Q: What are social determinants of health?
A: Social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. They include factors such as socioeconomic status, psychosocial factors, and living environment.
Q: How is the polysocial risk score calculated?
A: The polysocial risk score is calculated by combining various social determinants of health and assessing individual-level exposure to these determinants.
Q: What is the significance of this study?
A: This study highlights the importance of social determinants of health in the development and progression of psoriasis. It suggests that addressing social risks and promoting healthier lifestyles may help prevent and manage the condition.