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. 2025 Jul;55(7):1193-1197.
doi: 10.1111/imj.70088. Epub 2025 May 30.

Not just skin deep: reframing chronic inflammatory skin disease as a systemic threat

Annika Smith  1   2 , Clara K Chow  2   3   4
Affiliations

Not just skin deep: reframing chronic inflammatory skin disease as a systemic threat

Annika Smith et al. Intern Med J. 2025 Jul.

Abstract

Chronic inflammatory skin disease is more than skin deep, with several cutaneous disease entities associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Notably, psoriasis carries a markedly increased risk of cardiovascular disease, along with a significant comorbid burden. There is a need for greater clinician, patient and community awareness around the impact of chronic cutaneous inflammation, with attention to psoriasis in particular, in order to enhance care in this cohort.

Keywords: cardiovascular disease; chronic inflammatory skin disease; comorbidities; psoriasis; review.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(A) Psoriatic plaques of chronic plaque psoriasis: well‐demarcated erythematous plaques with silvery‐white scale, extensor surface distribution (elbows). (B) Scalp psoriasis: thick, adherent silvery white scale overlying a well‐demarcated erythematous plaque on the scalp. Image courtesy of science photo library.
Figure 2
Figure 2
(A) Psoriatic nail signs: coarse pitting. (B) Nail psoriasis: onycholysis, subungual hyperkeratosis, yellow‐brown discolouration. Image courtesy of science photo library.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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