Association between obesity measured by different parameters and severity of psoriasis

BACKGROUND: Obesity has been associated with the severity of psoriasis, but this relationship is not completely understood. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate associations between the severity of psoriasis and weight excess as determined using a variety of parameters. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in 296 psoriasis patients. Their body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist : hip ratio (WHR) values were compared with results on a psoriasis area severity index (PASI). RESULTS: The frequency of severe psoriasis was higher in men (P < 0.05). Direct correlations were established between PASI scores and each of BMI (R = 0.0154, P = 0.01), WC (R = 0.207, P = 0.001), and WHR (R = 0.164, P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: This study extends previous reports of an association between psoriasis and obesity and shows a direct correlation between obesity as measured according to different parameters and psoriasis severity.