GI Symptoms Often Accompany Psoriasis

Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are common among individuals living with moderate-to-severe psoriasis, a recent study showed.

These findings add to existing evidence of the association between moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and the risk for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
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For their study, the researchers collected and evaluated survey data from 915 patients with self-reported moderate-to-severe psoriasis and 1411 healthy controls from January to February 2017.

Psoriasis patients and healthy controls with similar comorbidities were included in the survey, and psoriasis patients were further categorized based on recent biologic exposure (within 4 months). Between-group GI symptoms and signs were compared, and CalproQuest (CPQ) scores were calculated.

Results of the study indicated that GI signs and symptoms occurred much more frequently in patients with psoriasis, regardless of biologic exposure, compared with healthy controls. In particular, pain, fullness, bloating, and diarrhea were more prevalent among patients with psoriasis vs healthy controls.

Additionally, a significantly greater percentage of patients with psoriasis had positive CPQ scores vs healthy controls. Positive CPQ scores were especially prevalent among psoriasis patients with recent biologic exposure.

“GI symptoms and signs are common in patients with moderate-to-severe [psoriasis], more so than in healthy controls,” the researchers concluded. “This suggests that physicians caring for patients with [psoriasis] may consider assessing for GI symptoms and signs, and monitoring for their progression with treatment of [psoriasis] to identify patients potentially at risk for developing IBD.”

—Christina Vogt

Reference:

Feldman S, Fakharzadeh S, Abell J, et al. Gastrointestinal symptoms are common in U.S. patients with moderate-severe psoriasis. Paper presented at: Crohn & Colitis Congress; January 18-20, 2018; Las Vegas, NV. http://www.crohnscolitiscongress.org/CCC1/Public/SessionDetails.aspx?FromPage=Sessions.aspx&SessionID=405&SessionDateID=2.