Psoriasis Features in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) share common pathways based on immune dysregulation with an important role of tumour necrosis factor-α and Th17 cells, as well as the genetic background. Several studies showed an increased prevalence of psoriasis in IBD patients. However, data regarding psoriasis features in IBD patients are still lacking. AIM: We aimed to conduct an observational study to assess psoriasis clinical features and its severity in a group of patients with IBD. METHODS: Dermatological assessment was performed consecutively in 200 IBD patients (123 with CD and 77 with UC) attending the IBD Care Centre of Gastroenterology at the University of Naples Federico II from 2015 to 2016. RESULTS: A group of 32 from 200 IBD patients (16%) had a familiar history positive for psoriasis, whereas, medical history and dermatologic examination revealed that 18 (9%) IBD patients were affected by psoriasis: 11 out of these 18 subjects (61.2%) had CD, and 7 had UC (38.2%); no significant differences were found between CD and UC groups. Concerning psoriasis severity, the mean psoriasis area severity index score was 3.7. CONCLUSION: This one-year retrospective study showed that psoriasis and IBD both require the use of immunosuppressive drugs so; we can count on a better treatment outcome for both diseases.