Psoriasis as a systemic disease

Abstract

Psoriasis is an inflammatory immune-mediated disease that affects the skin and has pathogenic effects with systemic impact. The relationship between psoriasis and comorbidities remains controversial. The hypothesis of a causative role of psoriasis in its cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities is based on pathophysiologic concepts establishing a link between chronic inflammation in psoriasis, endothelial dysfunction, formation of atherosclerotic plaques, and the different compounds of metabolic syndrome. Psoriasis management has to be multidisciplinary. It implicates identification and treatment of psychological disorders, addictions, and associated cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, together with improvement of quality of life of patients.