Psoriasis and sport: a new ally?

BackgroundPsoriasis is a common chronic multifactorial disease which can result in restrictions to social and recreational activities. Psoriasis subjects are at high risk to develop metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Physical activity, a vital component in prevention and management of these diseases, is reported to be potentially associated in a negative way with psoriasis. ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between psoriasis and physical activity. Materials and methodsAnamnestic and physical examination as well as a specific doctor-administered questionnaire was performed to a group of 416 consecutive sportive subjects and 489 sex and age-matched controls. Moreover, similar investigations were executed on 400 consecutive psoriatic patients without psoriatic arthritis. ResultsPsoriasis was significantly more common in controls respect to sportive group (n=27, 5.4% vs. n=7, 1.7%, P<0.01) whereas a positive familial history of psoriasis was observed in similar percentages in both groups (n=51, 10.2% vs. n=40, 9.6%). The number of subjects performing sports activities was significantly lower in psoriasis group compared to controls (n=44, 11% vs. n=106, 21.3%; P<0.001). Of these psoriatic patients, 35/44 referred that sporting activities showed a positive influence on the natural course of their disease, whereas the remaining 11 patients did not highlight positive or negative influences on their illness. Interestingly, 23.75% of psoriatic patients (n=95) related that they had regularly carried out sporting activities before the onset of the dermatosis referring that psoriasis represented a huge obstacle to continue practicing physical activities. ConclusionOur survey showed that regular physical activity may lower the risk of psoriasis and have a beneficial effect on the natural course of the disease, positively influencing not only the severity as well as the incidence of metabolic comorbidities, but also, through possible epigenomic, metabolic, anti-inflammatory and psycho-emotional effects, the onset of the dermatosis. However, larger birth cohort studies are needed to confirm these results.