Psoriasis News and Research

This psoriasis research contains valuable information on the causes of psoriasis, and matters concerning treatment.

Connections between Psoriasis and Crohn's Disease
As a further link between gut disease and psoriasis, researchers have shown that patients with Crohn's disease (an inflammatory bowel condition) also suffer from psoriasis at a higher rate than the general population.

The diseases share an inflammatory mediator known as tumor necrosis factor-alpha.  Dietary and stress factors play a key role in both diseases.

[J Am Acad Dermatol 2003; 48 (6): pages 805-21.]
 

Microscopic Gut Damage in Psoriasis Patients without Bowel Symptoms
In a study of patients with active psoriasis who had no bowel symptoms, microscopic investigation of the colon showed inflammatory damage in all patients, even in the 40% of patients whose gut look normal to the un-aided eye.  This study again links the gut to skin problems.

[Journal of Rheumatology 2000; 27 (5): pages 1241-6.]
 

Bathed in Lavender
Researchers in the UK have demonstrated a reduction in anger/frustration and improved outlook for the future in patients who received a lavender bath daily for 14 days.  Lavender (20% Lavendula angustifolia in grapeseed oil) 3ml was compared with placebo (grapeseed oil 3ml) in 2 studies each involving 40 female participants.

These findings add to a significant number of studies showing relaxation and mood benefits with lavender.

Nutri-Pharm's Myopax product contains 12.7%.

[Complementary Therapies in Medicine 2002; 10: pages 223-8.]
 

The risk of Malignancy Associated with Psoriasis
In a US cohort study, psoriasis patients were found to have an increased risk of certain cancers.  More severe psoriasis was associated with greater cancer risk.  Patients with mild psoriasis had only a slight increase in cancer risk.  The cancers involved were lymph cancers and non-melanoma skin cancers.

[ Arch Dermatol 2001; 137: pages 778-783.]
 

Lipid Profile in Psoriasis
Psoriasis patients in a recent study were shown to have significantly less "good" cholesterol than similar patients without psoriasis.  Reduction of the "good" or high density lipoprotein cholesterol is linked to higher risk of cardiovascular problems, so would be another good reason to look at dietary improvement.

[J AM Acad Dermatol, 2003 June; 48 (6): pages: 882-5.]
 

Tea Tree oil treats Tinea
Long known by Australians for its therapeutic value, the clinical benefit of tea tree oil in treating tinea has been confirmed in a recent study.  A 25% tea tree oil solution applied twice daily for 4 weeks clinically and microbiologically cleared 48% of tinea cases.  Unlike conventional anti-fungal compounds, tea tree oil also has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties.

[Australasian Journal of Dermatology 2002; 45: pates 175-8.]
 

Infliximab
A new injectable antibody compound, infliximab, has been trialed successfully in a small group of patients with chronic plaque psoriasis.  The compound, which targets an inflammatory protein known as tumour necrosis factor alpha, is undergoing more testing to confirm efficacy and toxicity data.

[Australas J Dermatol 2003 May; 44(2): pages 116-20.]
 

Alcohol, Smoking and Psoriasis
Initial anecdotal evidence that both smoking and drinking have an influence on psoriasis have been borne out in more detailed epidemiological studies.  However, there appears to be some geographical variation between populations and a marked gender bias.  The possibility that simple modifications in lifestyle may reduce both the prevalence and severity of psoriasis offers an exciting addition to treatment in the future.

[Department of Dermatology, Kings College Hospital, London, UK. Clin Exp Dermatol 2000 Mar; 25 (2): pages 107-110.]
 

Changes in Digestive System in Patients Suffering from Psoriasis
Literature in recent years provides more evidence that psoriasis is a disease that involves the entire body.

In psoriasis patients structural and functional abnormalities of the digestive system were found in nearly all its segments.  However, long term observations of a big group of psoriasis patients confirmed the absence of digestive symptoms.  Measurable changes included mucous membrane inflammation of the stomach and duodenum, and changes in the intestinal villi (small finger like projections which increase intestinal surface area).  A suggestion made at the Third Psoriatic Congress at Standford was that the starting point of psoriasis is kinetic disturbances of the digestive system.

[Ann Univ Mariae Curie Sklodowska (Med) 1998; 53: pages 187-194.]
 

Essential Fatty Acids and Psoriasis
Essential Fatty Acids (EFA's) play an important role in immune system function including T and B cell response and cell proliferation. EFA's have anti-mutagenic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties.  They also lower cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure. EFA's appear to be of benefit in psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and auto-immune disorders especially rheumatoid arthritis and SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus).

[J Assoc Physicians India 1999 Sept; 47 (9): pages 906-911.]
 

Hypnosis in Dermatology
A medline review on the use of hypnotherapy concluded that appropriately trained clinicians may successfully use hypnosis to treat atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and many other skin conditions.

[Arch Dermatol 2000 Mar; 136 (3): pages 393-399.]
 

Superantigens
Toxins from certain bacteria such as Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus (golden staph) have been shown to function as a new type of antigen termed "super antigen".  Super antigens bypass the normal control of T-Cell activation, so that a much larger than normal immune reaction occurs.  The skin of patients with eczema, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis is often colonized with super antigen releasing Staph. aureus.  Psoria contains tea tree oil which has strong anti-microbial activity against Staph. aureus.

[Clin Exp Dermatol 2000 Jan; 25 (1): pages 57-61.]
 

Search for The Psoriasis Susceptibility Gene: The Newfoundland Study
Research on the genetic link with psoriasis is being conducted with families from New Foundland who have English, Scottish and Irish ancestries.  Research will help isolate genetic markers for psoriasis.  A larger joint study is being planned.

[Cutis 1999 Nov; 64 (5): pages 323-329.]