Psoriasis vulgaris and digestive system disorders: is there a linkage?

Folia Histochem Cytobiol. 2009 Jan;47(3):517-24. doi: 10.2478/v10042-009-0107-y.

Abstract

Psoriasis is well-known immune-mediated skin disease often associated with co-morbidities, including dyslipidaemia and obesity. Few reports imply that the disease might be also related to pathology of mucosal surfaces, especially that of the digestive system. The authors present a case of psoriasis and concurrent digestive system abnormalities, and review the literature regarding the topic. A 40-year-old man suffered from an exacerbation of exudative psoriasis for about 6 months. Topical antipsoriatics proved ineffective and the disease gradually progressed to a severe disseminated form. Subsequent detailed examinations revealed persistent gastroduodenitis due to H. pylori infection, pancreatic dysfunction and fatty change of the liver, although the patient denied any gastrointestinal symptoms. As a result appropriate treatment of the diagnosed digestive system disorders was added to topical antipsoriatic therapy. Within 2 weeks of treatment clinical symptoms and laboratory signs showed a marked trend to normalisation. The presented medical history seems to suggest that there may be some kind of interplay between psoriasis and digestive system disorders.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Clemastine / therapeutic use
  • Digestive System Diseases / complications*
  • Digestive System Diseases / drug therapy
  • Digestive System Diseases / pathology
  • Disease Progression
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Psoriasis / complications*
  • Psoriasis / drug therapy
  • Psoriasis / pathology
  • Terfenadine / analogs & derivatives
  • Terfenadine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Terfenadine
  • Clemastine
  • fexofenadine