Patients with psoriasis have an increased risk for colorectal cancer (CRC), according to a review published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Study investigators conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies that examined the association of psoriasis with CRC. Data were included from nine cohort studies with 10,544,609 individuals. They found that the risk for CRC was significantly increased in patients with psoriasis (HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.08-1.24). In a subgroup analysis according to sex, the risk for CRC was significantly increased for women (HR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.16- 1.72), but not men (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.92- 1.50), with psoriasis. “The association between psoriasis and CRC may reflect the underlying inflammatory processes and impaired immune system,” the researchers wrote. “Patients with psoriasis should be informed about the increased risk of CRC. Because early diagnosis improves survival in CRC, gastroenterology consultation and detailed colonoscopic examination are indicated for patients with psoriasis presenting with bowel symptoms.”
Risk for Psoriasis Reduced After Tonsillectomy
The risk for psoriasis is reduced among individuals who undergo a tonsillectomy, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Researchers used data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database to examine the subsequent risk for psoriasis in patients who underwent tonsillectomy. A total of 2,021 patients who underwent tonsillectomy were matched with 8,084 tonsillectomyfree individuals by demographic data, comorbidities, medical confounders, and the index date. The study population was mainly male (65%) and young (mostly younger than 50). The adjusted HR for psoriasis was 0.43 for tonsillectomy patients relative to the reference group. However, patients with rheumatoid arthritis had an increased risk for psoriasis (aHR, 3.97). In almost all subgroups, the risk for psoriasis was reduced. “Considering the uncertain recommendation of the routine use of tonsillectomy for patients with psoriasis until now, our study serves as epidemiologic evidence for the possible preventative role of tonsillectomy in the development of psoriasis,” the authors wrote.
