Psoriasis and sport: a new ally?

• Published in: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Vol. 29; no. 3; pp. 515 - 520
• Main Authors: Balato, N., Megna, M., Palmisano, F., Patruno, C., Napolitano, M., Scalvenzi, M., Ayala, F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.03.2015
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Female; Humans; Male; Psoriasis - etiology; Sports; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0926-9959; 1468-3083; 1468-3083
• DOI: 10.1111/jdv.12607

Background Psoriasis 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. Objective To investigate the relationship between psoriasis and physical activity. Materials and methods Anamnestic 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. Results Psoriasis 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. Conclusion Our 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.