Study Links Abdominal Fat to Higher Psoriasis Risk in Women

A recent study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology has found that central body fat, especially abdominal fat, is more strongly linked to psoriasis risk than total body fat, with a particularly strong effect in women. This association remains consistent regardless of genetic predisposition, indicating that abdominal fat is an independent risk factor for psoriasis. Researchers analyzed data from over 330,000 participants, including more than 9,000 with psoriasis, using both traditional and advanced imaging techniques to assess 25 different body fat measures. Lead investigator Dr. Ravi Ramessur from King's College London emphasized that fat distribution plays a crucial role in psoriasis risk, which has implications for identifying individuals at higher risk and for developing targeted prevention and treatment strategies. Senior author Dr. Catherine H. Smith highlighted the importance of understanding these patterns amid rising global obesity rates to better address chronic inflammatory conditions like psoriasis. The findings suggest underlying biological mechanisms linked to central fat and psoriasis that require further investigation.