Evaluation of body composition parameters in patients with psoriasis

Background Body composition parameters, such as weight, body mass index (BMI), and visceral fat rating, have been found to be associated with psoriasis. However, the associations of these parameters with psoriasis have not been demonstrated clearly. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate body composition parameters in patients with psoriasis. Methods The relationships between the various body composition parameters and psoriasis were retrospectively examined in 242 patients with plaque psoriasis (119 women, 123 men) over a 2-year period during 2010–2012. In addition, the correlations between body composition parameters and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score were evaluated in treated and untreated patients with psoriasis. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether or not they had received systemic therapy within the previous three months. Body composition values were measured using the Tanita SC-330 Body Composition Analyzer®. Results Statistically significant differences were recorded in terms of weight (kg), body fat percentage, fat mass (kg), total body water (TBW) percentage, metabolic age, visceral fat rating, BMI, and degree of obesity among treated and untreated patients and control subjects. Differences in fat-free mass (FFM) (kg), muscle mass (kg), TBW (kg), and bone mass (kg) were found to be close to the limit for significance. The treated and untreated groups showed no significant differences in any of the parameters evaluated. The correlations between PASI score and the various parameters provided some evidence for such relationships. Conclusions The present study provides evidence of a relationship between some body composition parameters and the occurrence of psoriasis. We suggest that body composition parameters should be analyzed not only in obese psoriasis patients but in all psoriasis patients upon their first diagnosis. Systemic therapy does not appear to cause any changes in body composition parameters.