Is psoriasis a risk for
developing diabetes?
Psoriasis is a relatively common skin disorder in the North American population. Now there is some evidence that links severe cases of psoriasis as a risk for development of type 2 diabetes.
This latest study from the University of Pennsylvania reveals that incidental diabetes is present in at least 14% of patients with this skin disorder.
Estimates suggest that close to 115,000 more patients are at risk for diabetes each year based on the severity of their psoriasis. The mild cases of psoriasis are less likely to result in type 2 diabetes. At the moment, these are just observational findings and no direct link between psoriasis and diabetes has been established.
Nevertheless, these are not trivial findings because type 2 diabetes is a chronic disorder with numerous complications. Thus, patients with psoriasis should be highly encouraged to lower their risk of type 2 diabetes by making changes in their lifestyle and undergoing early screening for signs of insulin resistance.
Psoriasis is a relatively common skin disorder in the North American population. Now there is some evidence that links severe cases of psoriasis as a risk for development of type 2 diabetes.
This latest study from the University of Pennsylvania reveals that incidental diabetes is present in at least 14% of patients with this skin disorder.
Estimates suggest that close to 115,000 more patients are at risk for diabetes each year based on the severity of their psoriasis. The mild cases of psoriasis are less likely to result in type 2 diabetes. At the moment, these are just observational findings and no direct link between psoriasis and diabetes has been established.
Nevertheless, these are not trivial findings because type 2 diabetes is a chronic disorder with numerous complications. Thus, patients with psoriasis should be highly encouraged to lower their risk of type 2 diabetes by making changes in their lifestyle and undergoing early screening for signs of insulin resistance.
