The search for measurable predictors linked with negative health complications in psoriasis
Psoriasis is a non-contagious, long-term, inflammatory skin condition that affects approximately two in every 100 people in the Western world. It causes uncomfortable, red scaly patches on the skin, and is also linked to associated conditions such as joint disease, high body weight, heart disease and low quality of life.
Biomarkers are molecules that naturally exist within the human body and are often present at different levels in people who are more adversely affected by a condition. Identifying biomarkers that are linked to the negative consequences of psoriasis can help doctors predict who may be more adversely affected during their lifetime. Doctors could potentially implement preventive measures proactively to reduce the devastating impact that psoriasis can have on those most affected.
This area has been subject to intense research effort, with hundreds of studies having been previously performed. To help guide future research, this study systematically searched scientific literature databases with results being evaluated by an expert group of doctors and scientists from several European research centres.
181 studies were identified investigating biomarkers linked with more extensive psoriasis and/or other linked health conditions such as joint disease. 22 promising biomarkers were selected from included studies, although none were supported by sufficient evidence to be used in current practice without further investigation. Several common limitations of approaches to investigate this important question were highlighted following a detailed evaluation of studies.
Findings can help focus future research efforts to facilitate promising biomarkers being used in clinical practice.
Related publication: Biomarkers of disease progression in people with psoriasis: a scoping review. Ravi Ramessur, Mark Corbett, David Marshall, Marcio L. Acencio, Ines A. Barbosa, Nick Dand, Paola Di Meglio, Salma Haddad, Andreas H.M. Jensen, Witte Koopmann, Satveer K. Mahil, Marek Ostaszewski, Seher Rahmatulla, Joe Rastrick, Jake Saklatvala, Stephan Weidinger, Kath Wright, Kilian Eyerich, Matladi Ndlovu, Jonathan N. Barker, Lone Skov, Curdin Conrad, Catherine H. Smith. British Journal of Dermatology (BJD), doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.21627