Exploring the spectrum of psoriasis: Clinical and demographic perspectives in the Indian Context – An observational study

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the demographic profile, clinical characteristics, and comorbid conditions associated with psoriasis, with a particular focus on its relationship with metabolic syndrome and other systemic conditions. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 63 patients receiving treatment for psoriasis at a skin and laser clinic, Chennai, between January 2024 and June 2024. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, clinical features, comorbidities, and treatment modalities were collected. Disease severity was assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). Results: Psoriasis predominantly affected adults, with a slight male predominance observed (58.7% men). The highest age of onset was >40 years, and the majority (63.4%) had a disease duration of 1–5 years. Comorbidities were prevalent, with diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome observed in 31.7% of cases and vitamin D deficiency in 41% of cases. Psoriasis vulgaris was the most common clinical type (58.7%), and PASI scores were <7 in 31.7% of patients. Most patients (65%) required combination therapy with systemic and topical agents, 28.5% used topical treatments alone, and 7.7% were on biologic therapy. Conclusion: This study highlights the demographic distribution, clinical characteristics, and comorbid associations of psoriasis in this population. These findings reinforce the strong link between psoriasis and metabolic disorders, particularly diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome. Given the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, further investigation of its role in disease pathogenesis is warranted.