Psoriasis tied to increased risk of new-onset diabetes

(HealthDay)—Psoriasis is significantly tied to an increased risk of new-onset diabetes mellitus (DM), according to a study published online March 14 in Diabetes Care.

Usman Khalid, M.D., from Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte in Hellerup, and colleagues analyzed data from a populational cohort of participants 10 years of age or older in January 1997 and followed through December 2009. Individual data on comorbidity, concomitant medication, and socioeconomic status were available.

The researchers found that, of the 4,614,807 subjects studied, there were 52,613 patients with psoriasis, including 6,784 patients with severe psoriasis. For new-onset DM, the overall incidence rates were 3.67, 6.93, and 9.65 for the reference population, those with mild psoriasis, and severe psoriasis, respectively. The incidence rate ratio (IRR) of new-onset DM was increased in all patients with psoriasis compared with the reference population (IRR, 1.49 for mild psoriasis and 2.13 for severe psoriasis).

"In this nationwide cohort, psoriasis was associated with increased incidence rates of new-onset DM," the authors write.

Two authors disclosed receiving honoraria as consultants or speakers for pharmaceutical firms.