A study reviewed the relationship between psoriasis, a chronic systemic inflammatory disease, and the risk of dementia, which also shares a common chronic systemic inflammatory phenotype. As psoriasis typically occurs earlier than dementia, it’s speculated to be a potential risk factor for dementia. Researchers followed the PRISMA guidelines to select articles focusing on observational studies that examined the link between psoriasis and dementia. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria, with six suggesting that a prior diagnosis of psoriasis increases the risk of dementia. The review highlights that most evidence supports the notion that psoriasis is a risk factor for dementia, but it emphasizes the need for more detailed studies that consider psoriasis severity and treatment status to fully understand the impact of psoriasis on dementia risk. The role of systemic inflammation in both conditions suggests that anti-inflammatory treatments for psoriasis might reduce dementia risk, highlighting a potential area for further investigation.
Reference: Zhao J, Li T, Wang J. Association between psoriasis and dementia: A systematic review. Neurologia (Engl Ed). 2024 Jan-Feb;39(1):55-62. doi: 10.1016/j.nrleng.2023.12.005. PMID: 38161072.
