Fast Five Quiz: What Do You Know About Psoriasis?

Dirk M Elston, MD; William James, MD

Disclosures

January 25, 2023

Obesity is another factor associated with psoriasis. Whether it is related to weight alone, genetic predisposition to obesity, or a combination is not certain. Onset or worsening of psoriasis with weight gain and/or improvement with weight loss has been observed.

Psoriasis can begin at any age; a bimodal peak in prevalence is noted at age 30-39 years and age 60-69 years. Psoriasis affects about 1% of children, most commonly around age 10 years.

Men and women are equally affected by psoriasis.

Many environmental factors have been observed to trigger psoriasis exacerbations, including cold, trauma, infections (eg, streptococcal, staphylococcal, HIV), alcohol, and drugs (eg, iodides, steroid withdrawal, aspirin, lithium, beta-blockers, botulinum A, antimalarials). Hot weather, sunlight, and pregnancy may be beneficial, although the latter is not universal.

Learn more about the etiology and epidemiology of psoriasis.

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