Review sheds new light on link between smoking habits and psoriasis

Dove Medical PressJun 1 2016

Psoriasis: Targets and Therapy has published the review "Psoriasis and smoking: links and risks".

As corresponding author Professor Luigi Naldi says "The review in Psoriasis: Targets and Therapy throws new light on the relation between smoking habits and psoriasis. Smoking influences the onset and the severity of psoriasis, and negatively influences the response to systemic treatment. Several pathomechanisms are involved including oxidative stress, interaction with signalling pathways and vascular influences. Dermatologists could play a major role in reducing the health burden of smoking by influencing their patients changing behavior."

As Dr Uwe Wollina, Editor-in-Chief, explains "This paper demonstrates important links between smoking and worsening of psoriasis or reduced therapeutic response of the disease. It points to the fact that patients who are a smoker and are affected by psoriasis can positively influence the course of their disease by quitting smoking."